Effects of SO₄2− concentration on corrosion behaviour of carbon steels

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of SO₄2− concentration on the corrosion behaviour of T23 and T12 steels in simulated water chemistry condition solution of 600 MW fossil-fired power boilers.

Design/methodology/approach

The influence and mechanism of SO₄2− ions on the pitting corrosion of T23 and T12 steels in simulated oxygenated treatment water chemistry solution was studied using electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization scans and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Findings

The results showed that T23 and T12 were susceptible to pitting corrosion in the simulated solution with full SO₄2− concentration for the competitive adsorption of OH− and SO₄2− on the surface of steels. The pitting sensitivity of the steels improved with increasing SO₄2− concentration. The corrosion resistance for SO₄2− of T23 was stronger than that for T12.

Originality/value

This study is an attempt to provide direction for regulating the concentration of SO₄2− in boiler water and for selecting the material for boiler water wall tubes.

Citation

Zhu, Z., Jiao, X., Tang, X. and Lu, H. (2015), "Effects of SO₄2− concentration on corrosion behaviour of carbon steels", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 62 No. 5, pp. 322-326. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-01-2014-1342