Effect of a Small Amount of Cr and Mo on Aqueous CO2 Corrosion of Low-Alloyed Steel and Formation of Protective FeCO3 in Near-Saturation Conditions

Abstract

The effect of a small amount (1 wt%) of Cr or Mo on aqueous CO2 corrosion of low-alloyed steel and the formation of protective FeCO3 corrosion product layers was investigated under controlled water chemistry conditions, where the bulk saturation value of FeCO3 was maintained at near-saturated condition. Changes in CO2 corrosion rate with exposure time were monitored by linear polarization resisitance measurements. The surface morphology and the composition of the corrosion product layers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that the emergence of a continuous Fe3C layer created favorable conditions at the surface of nonalloyed steel (containing no Cr and Mo) for semiprotective FeCO3 to form even though the bulk saturation value of FeCO3 was maintained at near-saturated condition. However, semiprotective FeCO3 was not observed on the surface of 1% Cr steel and 1% Mo steel, but rather discontinuous and porous corrosion product layer was formed. Due to the hydrolysis reactions of Cr3+ and Mo3+, and the discontinuous structure of the corrosion product layers, the surface conditions for 1% Cr steel and 1% Mo steel were not favorable for the formation of FeCO3 under the experimental conditions of this study.