Laboratory Methods for Determining Corrosion Rates Under Heat Flux Conditions★

Abstract

Abstract Laboratory techniques for testing the effect of heat flux and skin temperatures upon corrosion rates of 316 stainless steel, steel and cast iron in various environments are described. Advantages and disadvantages with supporting evidence are given for three practical approaches to this fundamental study in the laboratory. Based on the data obtained, skin temperature rather than heat flux has been found to be the controlling factor in the corrosive environments investigated. Heat removed from the corroding surface through agitation and/or other methods appears to be the most practical means of increasing heat flux input without excessively increasing corrosion rate. Preliminary results indicate the superiority of these techniques over the customary immersion tests for obtaining corrosion data involving heat transfer conditions. Continued research on these methods should eventually lead to the development of limiting skin temperatures for various metals in specific environments. Practical application of the data should form a sound basis for predicting plant corrosion rates in heat transfer equipment. 2.3.7