Study on cathodic reaction control efficiency by low alloy steels

Akashi, Masatsune*; Fukaya, Yuichi*; Asano, Hidekazu*

Difference of hydrogen generation phenomena on the surface of the Steels were not observed between carbon steel, atmospheric corrosion resisting steel and 5%-Ni steel. Rust layer was formed on these three-type of steels by steam oxidation method. And the chemical composition of the rust for the steels were basically two(2) layers structure for the previous two steels as hematite(FeO) based for the outer layer and magnetite(FeO) based for the inner layer. And for the last steel, it had three(3) layer in the rust as hematite(FeO) based for the outer layer, magnetite(FeO) based for the intermediate layer and Ni based layer for the inner layer. These steels showed mostly same Tafel gradient in their cathodic polarization curves compare with that for no rust specimens. However, the exchange current density which reaction is assumed as a hydrogen generation reaction was largely increased. The cathodic reaction for each steels whose surface is covered by magnetite layer might be accelerated, then the corrosion rate was considered as accelerated, too.