Effect of electric-arc-induced ablation on corrosion behavior of pipeline steel under high-voltage direct current interference

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the effects of electric-arc-induced ablation on the corrosion behavior of pipeline steel in neutral and high pH environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Electrochemical testing, an atmospheric-pressure immersion experiment and various techniques (e.g. scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) were used to examine the effects of electric-arc-induced ablation on the corrosion behavior of pipeline steel in neutral and high pH environment.

Findings

Electric-arc-induced ablation occurred preferentially in areas of inclusion. The corrosion resistance of an ablation pit was lower than that of non-ablation areas. In the neutral soil solution, general corrosion was the dominant corrosion that affected pipeline steel; the effect of ablation was small but pitting corrosion could still be induced. In a high pH environment, the samples without ablation were passivated, whereas the samples with ablation pits could not be passivated; the ablation pits were likely to develop pitting corrosion.

Originality/value

Electric-arc-induced ablation can reduce the corrosion resistance of pipeline steel under high-voltage direct current interference.

Citation

Wang, X., Cao, G., Wang, B., Xing, Y., Lu, M., Qiao, L. and Zhang, L. (2022), "Effect of electric-arc-induced ablation on corrosion behavior of pipeline steel under high-voltage direct current interference", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 69 No. 5, pp. 481-489. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-04-2022-2641