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Eingeladener Vortrag
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Irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) is known to be a combination of applied stress, and a corrosive environment in irradiated materials, but an appropriate understanding of how each of these components affects cracking is not yet clear. In this work, we isolate the role of grain boundary (GB) oxidation in IASCC. For this purpose, solution-annealed 304L stainless steel irradiated in reactor to 5.4 or 69 dpa was studied using a miniaturized four-point bend technique. Two modes of bend tests were conducted; straining in simulated pressurized water reactor primary water (PW) at 320 ◦C in an incremental manner, and pre-oxidation in PW at 320 ◦C without application of stress followed by dynamic straining in purified Ar at the same temperature until crack initiation. Exposure of the 5.4 dpa sample for 210 h in high temperature water initiated cracks in Ar at 60% of the yield stress (0.6YS), whereas the companion sample of the same dose exposed for 1010 h cracked in Ar at 0.5YS. The long-term exposure in water led to GB oxidation that ultimately lowered the crack initiation stress. Dynamic straining in water resulted in larger crack lengths and greater crack depths indicating stress accelerated oxidation and cracking. Dislocation pile-ups at dislocation channel-grain boundary sites provide an amplification of the applied stress to a level consistent with the fracture stress of the grain boundary oxide, providing an explanation for IASCC that occurs at applied stresses well below the irradiated yield stress of the alloy. There was no evidence of cracking upon straining of an unoxidized 69 dpa sample in Ar to well above yield, confirming that the irradiated state is not inherently susceptible to intergranular (IG) cracking and that oxidized GBs are responsible for initiation of IG cracking.
In-space manufacturing (ISM) provides the opportunity to manufacture and repair critical components on future human spaceflight missions. For explorations to Mars and beyond, ISM is a key strategy not only due to the long travel distances and high costs of supply from earth but also to be able to safely work in space for years. Human spaceflight is still dependent on shipments from earth that can fail for several reasons. ISM is a valuable alternative to ensure the timely and safe resupply of space missions.
With additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, components are built directly from a 3D computer-aided-design (CAD) model which offers the advantages of freedom of design and the production of complex and ready-to-use parts. A virtual tool box with 3D models in space or the supply of information instead of components from earth to space can strongly benefit future missions. For industrial use, most research has focused on laser based additive manufacturing processes such as laser beam melting (LBM) where metallic powder particles are spread into a uniform powder bed and melted by a laser to the desired shape.
In the absence of gravity, the handling of metal powders, which is essential for the process, is challenging. We present an evolution of an AM system, where a gas flow throughout the powder bed is applied to stabilize the powder bed. This is needed to compensate for the missing gravitational forces in microgravity experiments on parabolic flight campaigns. The system consists of a porous building platform acting as a filter for the fixation of metal particles in a gas flow. It is driven by reduced pressure established by a vacuum pump underneath the platform. The system creates a drag force that directs the particles towards the porous building platform, similar to the effect of the gravitational force.
The AM system with its gas-flow-assisted powder deposition has been tested in several parabolic flight campaigns, and stainless-steel powder has successfully been processed during microgravity conditions. Different powder recoating mechanisms have been investigated to assess the homogeneous distribution of the powder as well as the attachment of the next layer to the powder bed. These mechanisms included different container designs with parallel double blades and with a V-shape at the bottom, and a roller recoating system. The samples presented are the first metal parts ever manufactured using LBM in μ-gravity. In addition to manufacturing in a μ-gravity environment, the experiments have shown the feasibility to manufacture components at different accelerations during the parabolic flight: hyper gravity (1.8 g), μ-gravity (< 0.01 g) and 1 g. Recent results will also be presented describing the application of this LBM setup in a parabolic flight campaign with mixed lunar, martian and µ-gravity acceleration, during which the processing of a lunar regolith simulant powder was tested.
For ISM, the development and testing of the proposed AM system demonstrates that LBM can be considered a viable technology for the manufacturing of metal and ceramic parts in a μ-gravity or reduced-gravity environment.
Stainless steel AISI 304 surfaces were studied after a mild anodic polarization for oxide growth in the presence and absence of two derivatives of vitamin B2 (riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide) that can be secreted by metal‐reducing bacteria and act as a chelating agent for iron species. The alterations in oxide chemistry were studied by means of surface‐sensitive techniques such as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis. The complementary electrochemical characterization revealed a preferential growth of an oxide/hydroxide iron‐rich film that is responsible for an altered pit initiation and nucleation behavior. These findings suggest that as the corrosion behavior is determined by the interplay of the chemical and electronic properties, only a mild anodic polarization in the presence of redox‐active molecules is able to alter the chemical and electronic structure of the passive film formed on stainless steel AISI 304. This helps to achieve a profound understanding of the mechanisms of microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) and especially the possible effects of the redox‐active biomolecules, as they may play an important role in the corrosion susceptibility of stainless steel surfaces.
Susceptibility of 304 Stainless Steel to Crevice Corrosion in Electrochemically Active Fluids
(2020)
The susceptibility of Type 304 stainless steel (SS) to crevice corrosion upon contacting with electrochemically active fluids was investigated using exposure tests and stepwise potentiostatic polarization. Crevice materials made of 304 SS and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) were focused on in this study. The combined influence of oxidant and chloride concentration on crevice corrosion was examined in detail in the two types of crevice combinations (304 SS-to-PEEK and 304 SS-to-304 SS). The 304 SS specimens were strongly susceptible to crevice corrosion when coupled with 304 SS. Even at a low concentration of 5 mg/L free chlorine and 150 mg/L chloride, which is below nominal dilutions in beverage industries, the examined specimens underwent crevice corrosion in both crevices. The effect of water composition on crevice corrosion was also studied, indicating high susceptibility of 304 SS to crevice corrosion in low pH (pH ≤ 5) solutions. The corroded surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive x-ray, and confocal.
Geothermal energy is an interesting alternative to polluting fossil energy sources. Therefore, in Belgium, two wells have been drilled for a deep geothermal power plant. However, the environment to which the installations are exposed is challenging. The geothermal brine has 165 g/l total dissolved solids (of which 90% are sodium and chlorine) and the production temperature can be up to 130 °C. To assess their suitability to be used in a geothermal power plant, the corrosivity of the artificial brine to three common construction materials was investigated with exposure and electrochemical tests. The metals under consideration are a low-alloyed carbon steel (S235JR), an austenitic stainless steel (UNS S31603) and a duplex stainless steel (UNS S31803). The carbon steel, that was found to corrode uniformly, could be considered as a constructional material if a sufficient wall thickness is chosen. The austenitic stainless steel and the duplex stainless steel demonstrate very low uniform
corrosion rates. They are however susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion. To guarantee safe operation of the geothermal power plant, the susceptibility of the alloys to stress corrosion cracking should be tested and in situ experiments should be performed.
Ageing at 600 °C (from 0.1 h up to 20 h) leads to the formation of precipitations at the ferrite-ferrite (α/α) and ferrite-austenite (α/γ) grain boundaries of the lean duplex stainless steel (LDSS) X2CrNiN22-2. This leads to sensitisation due to chromium depletion and decreased pitting corrosion resistance proven by the results of various electrochemical methods (DL-EPR and determination of CPT, Epit). These results were compared with the KorroPad method, which uses an agar-based gel-electrolyte for the detection of stainless steel surfaces prone to pitting corrosion. However, the standard configuration of the KorroPad showed no differentiation for the various ageing conditions. Therefore, modified versions of the KorroPad with two, five and ten times higher NaCl and potassium ferrocyanide III (K3[Fe(CN)6]) concentrations were successfully used to visualise the behaviour detected by DL-EPR, Epit and CPT. Therefore, the KorroPad method can also detect a microstructure related reduction of pitting corrosion resistance, which can drastically reduce the experimental effort to generate sensitisation diagrams for stainless steels.
To investigate early stage corrosion processes of stainless steel 1.4301 taking place during the biofilm formation of the organism Shewanella putrefaciens electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a multielectrode approach has been used. The multielectrode array consisted of up to 25 electrically isolated electrodes made of stainless steel wires of diameters ranging from 100 µm to 500 µm. They were connected to a multichannel microelectrode analyzer (MMA) electrically coupled through zero resistance ammeters. Current flow between electrodes in the array as well as changes in impedance of individual electrodes over time were recorded and analyzed with respect to the onset of localized corrosion and biofilm formation. The results were complemented by optical microscopy, SEM and AFM images which were taken immediately after the respective experiment. To verify that the multielectrode arrays correctly indicated the initial stages of the corrosion process and of biofilm formation they were introduced in a flow cell reaction vessel containing test specimens made from stainless steel 1.4301, which were checked regularly for signs of localized corrosion and biofilms. Preceding results with the multielectrode array in solutions containing high amounts of chloride ions and hydrogen peroxide at low pH also showed that it is possible with the MMA to monitor individual electrodes becoming local anodes as local corrosion set in, while the remaining electrodes predominantly acted as cathodes.
Lessons learned from long-term corrosion investigations and –monitoring in saline thermal waters
(2018)
Investigations of corrosion processes in geothermal well in Groß Schönebeck showed
Most tested materials (apart of carbon steel) proved to be corrosion resistant within the installations.
- Stability of coatings cannot be guaranteed.
- Main risk: Electrochemical corrosion of carbon steel casing with dissolved Cu resulting in clogging the reservoir
The corrosion prevention strategy requires use of higher alloyed casing materials depending on resistance parameters, availability and economic feasibility.
The characteristics of different molecules chosen as representatives for specific functionalities in conditioning layers play an important role on attachment behavior and later biofilm formation of bacteria. The chemical composition is a major component influencing the attachment but there is a conglomerate of influences.
The weldability of materials is still for many years a highly contentious issue, particularly regarding the causes of the hot crack formation. Because of the process-related temperature and emissions, direct measurement for the arising strain in the close vicinity of the welding process is challenged. therefore, the externally loaded hot cracking testes remain for decades the only way to determine the critical straining conditions for solidification cracking. In this study, a novel optical two-dimensional in situ observation technique has been developed to analyse the strain evaluation during the welding process in the moment of crack formation. Additionally, the Controlled Tensile Weldability test (CTW test) was used to generate the hot crack under different global straining conditions. To record the welding process and the moment of the solidification crack initiation a CMOS camera was used which inserted coaxially into the optical path of the welding laser. As illumination source a diode laser with wave length 808 nm was employed to illuminate the welding region. An interference filter was placed on the camera lens, allowing only the illumination wavelength to pass through and reflecting all other wavelengths, so that the melt pool and the re-solidifying metal could be visualized in a single image. in order to obtain good temporal resolution, the frame rate of the camera was set to 1100 frame per second in. The contrast in images obtained using this unique setup allows to apply the optical flow technique based on Lucas-Kanade (LK) algorithm to follow the pixels in each image sequence and then to calculate the displacement field. The strain was calculated based on the estimated displacement. Using this technique, the local strains and strain rates under different global straining condition has been determined and analysed. The results shown Dependency between the external strain rate and the critical local strain and strain rate has been observed. That is to say, the critical local strain and strain rate are increased with an increase of the strain rate. Moreover, the described procedure of the optical measurement allows to determine the real martial dependent values of critical strain and strain rate characterizing transition to the hot cracking during laser welding processes.The experiments as well as the measurement has been performed on the stainless steel 316L (1.4404)
Nickel-free, nitrogen alloyed austenitic stainless-steels, with about 19 wt.-% Mn and 0,8 wt. % N, are an interesting alternative to classic CrNi austenitic stainless steels due to their superior mechanical properties (Rm > 900 MPa, A5 > 50 %, Av > 350 J) in the solution annealed condition. The formation of chromium-rich nitrides during suboptimal heat treatment, processing or application leads to an inhomogeneous distribution of alloying elements in the microstructure, which reduces the corrosion resistance. Consequently, an accurate knowledge of the sensitization behavior is indispensable for the use of nickel-free, high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steels. The relationship between artificial aging, phase formation and corrosion resistance was investigated on the alloys X8CrMnN18-19 (1.3815) and X8CrMnMoN18-19-2 (1.4456), both alloyed with 0,8 wt.-% Nitrogen, in the present work. The microstructural evolution was studied by LM and SEM while the corrosion resistance was characterized with the electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) and the KorroPad indicator-test. Both alloys showed increased corrosion susceptibility within critical aging parameters. Finally, a sensitization diagram was described successfully for both alloys showing the positive effect of molybdenum.
The copper alloyed stainless steel 1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4) is used in different areas due to its good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Strength and corrosion resistance can be adjusted by the heat treatment, which is of importance for the application of this alloy. The mechanical properties (strength and hardness) are attributed to the dispersive precipitation of the copper rich ε–Phase. The additional precipitation of chromium carbides can reduce the corrosion resistance. Different ageing states were produced to investigate the precipitation behaviour with various methods. Furthermore, the influence of cold-rolling on the precipitation behaviour was studied in comparison to a solution annealed state without deformation. The microstructure was studied by SEM and the variations of hardness and magnetic proportion were characterised. The electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) was used to determine the corrosion resistance and detect chromium depletion in all heat-treated states. The results show that a work hardening accelerates the precipitation rate, while ageing at 600 °C reduces the corrosion resistance due to chromium depletion.
Hardness and pitting corrosion resistance are the major quality criteria of cutlery. Both are achieved by the heat treatment (austenitization, quenching and tempering) of the normally used martensitic stainless steels. The established quality control method regarding the pitting corrosion resistance is an alternating immersion test in 1 % NaCl solution at 60 °C according to DIN EN ISO 8442. This standard test shows a high deviation, which limits any optimization of the heat treatment process. New approaches for corrosion testing of martensitic stainless-steels were developed and used in the last years to connect the weak pitting corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless-steels with the phenomenon of chromium depletion. The tempering temperatures used in the industrial heat treatment of cutlery are too low to explain the appearance of chromium depletion. For this reason, a systematic investigation of three heat treatment parameters (austenitization time, cooling speed and tempering temperature) were performed on the martensitic stainless-steels X50CrMoV15 (1.4116) to detect their contribution to chromium depletion. The electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR), which is very sensitive to any change of the microstructure, was used to quantify the degree of chromium depletion. The KorroPad indicator-test was applied to correlate low pitting corrosion resistance to the presence of chromium depletion. The results of all investigations allow conclusions about the very small process window, which is necessary to achieve cutlery with high pitting corrosion resistance.
The KorroPad indicator test was invented at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing to detect stainless-steel surfaces susceptible to pitting corrosion. The KorroPad indicator test is thus an interesting alternative for manufacturers, processors, users and researchers to time consuming exposition experiments and complex electrochemical investigations, which are normally used to reveal surface-related processing errors resulting in reduced pitting corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the KorroPad indicator test can be used to visualize alloy- and microstructure-related factors causing susceptibility to pitting corrosion. The detection limit of the KorroPad indicator test was characterized in this work using reference alloys with different chromium content (5 % to 18 %). The alloy-specific detection limit was shifted successfully to higher chromium content by increasing the concentrations of NaCl and K3[Fe(CN)6]. The modified KorroPads can now be used to establish an alloy-specific quality control regarding the pitting corrosion resistance of different stainless steel grades.
Nickel-free, nitrogen alloyed austenitic stainless-steels, with about 19 wt.-% Mn and 0,8 wt. % N, are an interesting alternative to classic CrNi austenitic stainless steels due to their superior mechanical properties (Rm > 900 MPa, A5 > 50 %, Av > 350 J) in the solution annealed condition. The formation of chromium-rich nitrides during suboptimal heat treatment, processing or application leads to an inhomogeneous distribution of alloying elements in the microstructure, which reduces the corrosion resistance. Consequently, an accurate knowledge of the sensitization behavior is indispensable for the use of nickel-free, high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steels. The relationship between artificial aging, phase formation and corrosion resistance was investigated on the alloys X8CrMnN18-19 (1.3815) and X8CrMnMoN18-19-2 (1.4456), both alloyed with 0,8 wt.-% Nitrogen, in the present work. The microstructural evolution was studied by LM and SEM while the corrosion resistance was characterized with the electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) and the KorroPad indicator-test. Both alloys showed increased corrosion susceptibility within critical aging parameters. Finally, a sensitization diagram was described successfully for both alloys showing the positive effect of molybdenum.
The copper alloyed stainless steel 1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4) is used in different areas due to its good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Strength and corrosion re-sistance can be adjusted by the heat treatment, which is of importance for the application of this alloy. The mechanical properties (strength and hardness) are attributed to the dispersive precipitation of the copper rich ε–Phase. The additional precipitation of chromium carbides can reduce the corrosion resistance. Different ageing states were produced to investigate the precipitation behaviour with various methods. Furthermore, the influence of cold-rolling on the precipitation behaviour was studied in comparison to a solution annealed state without deformation. The microstructure was studied by SEM and the variations of hardness and magnetic proportion were characterised. The electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) was used to determine the corrosion resistance and detect chromium depletion in all heat-treated states. The results show that a work hardening accelerates the precipitation rate, while ageing at 600 °C reduces the corrosion re-sistance due to chromium depletion.
The corrosion resistance of stainless-steels grades is of high importance for the technical safety in different environmental conditions. Processing and surface finish influences the corrosion resistance of ferritic stainless steels, which may be considered for some application in marine environment. Three ferritic stainless steel alloys (X2CrNi12, X2CrTiNb18 and X2CrMoTi18-2) were exposed in four different surface finishes (rolled, dry grinding, glass beaded and electro polished) for five years in marine environment to obtain reliable information about the corrosion resistance. All samples were assessed after 22 and 60 months according to DIN EN ISO 10289 in validation degrees from 1 to 10. Complementary investigation using accelerated chamber test (salt spray test followed by four weeks storage at 30 °C / 80 % relative humidity) and short-term electrochemical methods (electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation, pitting potentials and the KorroPad method) were conducted to compare their results. The presentation gives an overview on all methods and the generated results, which show benefits and restrictions of long-term, accelerated and short-term corrosion tests.
A two-dimensional numerical mesoscale model has been created representing a microstructure of a typical 2205/1.4462 duplex stainless steel to further elucidate the mechanisms of hydrogen-assisted crack initiation and propagation in multiphase non-hydride forming metallic microstructures. Hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) was simulated by considering different stress and strain behavior as well as different diffusion behavior in both phases. For simulation of crack initiation and propagation, the element elimination technique has been applied. The model allows the simulation of path-free crack propagation which contributes to a better understanding of the HAC process in two-phase microstructures. As a particular result, the analyses revealed that a global macroscopic elastic deformation might already cause plastic deformation in both phases entailing respective HAC.
The influence of isothermal ageing on microstructure, sensitisation and pitting corrosion resistance of the lean duplex stainless steel (LDSS) X2CrNiN23-4 was investigated with various electrochemical methods. The aging at 600 °C (from 0.1 h up to 20 h) lead to the formation of precipitations at the ferrite-ferrite (α/α) and ferrite-austenite (α/γ) grain boundaries, inducing sensitisation due to chromium depletion. The degree of sensitisation was evaluated with the double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation method (DL-EPR) according to ASTM G108 and correlated with critical pitting potentials (Epit) as well as critical pitting temperature (CPT) measured in an electrolyte according to ASTM G48 using electrochemical noise. Up to an ageing time of 1 h, the sensitisation did rise significantly, stabilising at a nearly constant level with a slight drop at 20 h. This behaviour correlated perfectly with the potentiodynamically determined pitting potentials Epit and sensitisation. The CPT showed a higher sensitivity at short ageing times compared to the DL-EPR and Epit. Finally, the KorroPad method was applied to visualise the sensitisation induced reduction of pitting corrosion resistance. The “KorroPad” is an agar-based gel-electrolyte containing 0.1 mol/l sodium chloride (NaCl) and 0.1 mol/l potassium ferricyanide III (K3[Fe(CN)6]), invented at the Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing in Berlin (Germany) to detect surfaces of stainless steel prone to pitting corrosion. The standard configuration of the KorroPad showed no differentiation for the various aging conditions. Increasing the concentration of both NaCl and potassium ferrocyanide III to 0.5 M shifts the detection limit of the KorroPad method to stainless steels with higher corrosion resistance, producing the same trends detected by standard electrochemical pitting corrosion values (Epit, CPT) and sensitisation (DL-EPR). By that, the KorroPad method was successfully adjusted to the lean-duplex stainless steel X2CrNiN23-4, enabling short-time testing to detect sensitization.
The copper alloyed stainless steel 1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4) is used in different areas due to its good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Strength and corrosion resistance can be adjusted by the heat treatment, which is of importance for the application of this alloy. The mechanical properties (strength and hardness) are attributed to the dispersive precipitation of the copper rich ε–Phase. The additional precipitation of chromium carbides can reduce the corrosion resistance. Different ageing states were produced to investigate the precipitation behaviour with various methods. Furthermore, the influence of cold-rolling on the precipitation behaviour was studied in comparison to a solution annealed state without deformation. The microstructure was studied by SEM and the variations of hardness and magnetic proportion were characterised. The electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation
(EPR) was used to determine the corrosion resistance and detect chromium depletion in all heattreated states. The results show that a work hardening accelerates the precipitation rate, while ageing at 600 °C reduces the corrosion resistance due to chromium depletion.
The copper alloyed stainless steel 1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4) is used in different areas due to its good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Strength and corrosion resistance can be adjusted by the heat treatment, which is of importance for the application of this alloy. The mechanical properties (strength and hardness) are attributed to the dispersive precipitation of the copper rich ε–Phase. The additional precipitation of chromi-um carbides can reduce the corrosion resistance. Different ageing states were produced to investigate the precipitation behaviour with various methods. Furthermore, the influence of cold-rolling on the precipitation behaviour was studied in comparison to a solution annealed state without deformation. The microstructure was studied by SEM and the variations of hardness and magnetic proportion were characterised. The electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) was used to determine the corrosion resistance and detect chromium depletion in all heat-treated states. The results show that a work hard-ening accelerates the precipitation rate, while ageing at 600 °C reduces the corrosion resistance due to chromium depletion.
The copper alloyed stainless steel 1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4) is used in different areas due to its good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Strength and corrosion resistance can be adjusted by the heat treatment, which is of importance for the application of this alloy. The mechanical properties (strength and hardness) are attributed to the dispersive precipitation of the copper rich ε–Phase. The additional precipitation of chromi-um carbides can reduce the corrosion resistance. Different ageing states were produced to investigate the precipitation behaviour with various methods. Furthermore, the influence of cold-rolling on the precipitation behaviour was studied in comparison to a solution annealed state without deformation. The microstructure was studied by SEM and the variations of hardness and magnetic proportion were characterised. The electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) was used to determine the corrosion resistance and detect chromium depletion in all heat-treated states. The results show that a work hard-ening accelerates the precipitation rate, while ageing at 600 °C reduces the corrosion resistance due to chromium depletion.
Metal reducing bacteria (MRB) are capable of utilizing different metals, such as iron, chromium, manganese or uranium as well as many organic compounds, as electron acceptors for their metabolism. Via direct and indirect electron transfer processes MRB are able to convert insoluble passive film species like Fe(III)-oxides to soluble Fe(II)-oxides and hydroxides. This weakening of the passive film not only leads to an acceleration of the general corrosion processes, but also increases the susceptibility of stainless steels to pitting corrosion. Electron transfer mechanisms are not yet fully understood and the role of bacteria in corrosion processes is controversially discussed in the literature. Moreover, recent research indicates that the secretion of electron shuttles like riboflavins by MRB also contributes to the extracellular electron transfer.
This project aims at clarifying the chemical and electrochemical interaction mechanisms of MRB with stainless steel surfaces. To investigate the changes in the oxide chemistry on the stainless steel surface in the presence of biomolecules and MRB a new flow cell has been designed and constructed which enables the collection of XANES (X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure) spectra in fluorescence mode at the Fe K-edge and electrochemical analysis. Availability of oxygen and the pre-exposure of the MRB to Fe(III) during cultivation have been investigated as parameters with significant effect on the corrosion rates. XANES analysis is supplemented by ex-situ X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) to complete the surface characterisation in terms of the oxide chemistry and the composition of organic residues. Complementary electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (e-QCM) measurements have been performed to quantify the kinetics of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. Together with the frequency shift, the evolution of the dissipation signal has been analyzed to investigate the changes in viscosity and structure of the biofilm from initial stages up to maturation. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been used to study the structure and viscoelastic properties of the biofilms after e-QCM experiments.
The presentation will summarize our results on the effects of individual surface and environment related parameters on the chemical/electrochemical interaction mechanisms of MRB leading to passive film degradation on stainless steel surfaces and provide useful insights from a fundamental aspect for the development of novel mitigation strategies for microbiologically influenced corrosion.
Electrochemically active bacteria such as iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB) or iron reducing bacteria (IRB) accelerate the corrosion of stainless steel via the oxidation and reduction of iron oxides in the passive layer. The exposure to medium containing IOB and IRB leads to pitting corrosion with deep pits on stainless steel surfaces. Improving corrosion control via a better understanding of localized corrosion processes is highly relevant especially for reasons of safety or environmental protection since advancing pitting corrosion can easily lead to unpredictable material failure. Classic electrochemical methods however, provide insufficient information about the spatial heterogeneity of a corroding sample and fall short in detecting localized corrosion.
The aim of this work is to develop methods for the analysis of localized corrosion, on stainless steel surfaces induced by IRB and IOB biofilms. It is quite challenging to address the complexity of the variations in the passive layer composition and microstructure as well as the biofilm’s complexity with its local differential aeration cells and electrochemical parameters both at the same time. Thus in this study, agarose artificial biofilms mimicking the physical properties of a natural biofilm have been used as model systems to be able to differentiate between individual effects. This artificial biofilm is applied on a multi-electrode stainless steel sample to identify local anodic sites during exposure experiments. For more detailed analysis of active sites, a scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has been applied. Using the SECM as an amperometric sensor, we have investigated concentration gradients of iron ions or oxygen within the biofilm and its immediate vicinity on actively corroding electrodes.
The presented analytical approach delivers promising results in clarifying how localized corrosion of stainless steels develops chronologically and spatially in the presence of IRBs and IOBs. Our results on model systems do also provide the basis for the investigation of natural biofilms in the future.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) on steel occurs where the presence and activity of microbes change the localized conditions on the surface of a metal substrate. For instance, metal reducing bacteria (MRB) are capable of utilizing metal compounds in the passive layer on stainless steel as electron acceptors during their metabolism. This weakening of the passive film not only leads to an acceleration of the general corrosion processes, but also increases the susceptibility of stainless steels to pitting corrosion. Even though the electron transfer mechanisms are not yet fully understood, recent research shows that the secretion of electron shuttles like flavins contribute significantly to the extracellular electron transfer (EET). Electron shuttle molecules like riboflavin (RB) or flavin mononucleotide (FMN) are secreted by MRB after the transition from planktonic to sessile mode and exist in the biofilm at low concentrations. Therefore, they are precise early phase indicators of bacterial settlement.
This project aims at clarifying the electrochemical interaction mechanisms of MRB with stainless steel surfaces, with a special focus on the role of the extracellular redox molecules. The analysis of corrosion processes as a function of chloride and flavin concentration have been performed by means of electrochemical methods. Due to the differences in their chemical structure, FMN and RB have shown significant differences in terms of their adsorption behavior and the stability of the formed films, which directly influences the electron transfer processes. Therefore, Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (eQCM) studies have been performed on sputtered FeCr electrodes to investigate the adsorption/desorption kinetics of flavins.
The results of electrochemical studies are complemented by the analysis of the changes in the passive film chemistry and the chemical composition of the adsorbed films by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in surface morphology have been investigated by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).The presentation will summarize our results on the degradation mechanisms of passive films on stainless steel surfaces in the presence of flavins and provide useful insights from a fundamental aspect for the understanding of the initial stages of microbiologically influenced corrosion.
The novel heat treatment concept of “Quenching and Partitioning” (Q&P) enables producing low alloyed martensitic steels with high strength and formability. Therefore austenite, retaining from a quenching temperature between Mf and Ms, is stabilised by carbon diffusion. This stabilised austenite transforms in martensite (TRIP effect) under mechanical loading. Current investigations on the Q&P heat treatment of martensitic stainless steels reveal a further enhancement of mechanical properties due to higher amounts of austenite. Thus a tensile strength of 1.800 MPa and a maximum elongation of 20 % are possible, while mechanical properties under compression are much higher due to a distinct SD effect.
The presentation aims to gain a further understanding of the Q&P heat treatment and the resulting mechanical properties for the steel X46Cr13, especially the mechanical behaviour under dynamic mechanical loading condition. Results of drop work and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar test confirms the findings of quasi static compression test. Furthermore, Charpy impact tests show higher impact toughness compared to the common heat treatment of quenching and tempering (Q&T). Complementary investigations indicate a higher corrosion resistance of Q&P compared to Q&T.
In the context of a research project carried out by BAM, nine different steel alloys were exposed to maritime environmental conditions at the German Island of Helgoland over a period of five years and their corrosion behavior was compared and evaluated. In order to evaluate the influence of a possible concentration of corrosion specific crucial air constituents on the investigated steel grades, a series of sample surfaces were freely exposed to the we ather while other samples were protected from direct rain in a covered area. The parallel investigation of four different surface finishes (cold rolled, dry grinded, electro-polished, blasted) of the respective alloys also made it possible to take account of the specific influences and features of the surface finish during the material comparison. On the basis of the results of the natural exposure tests, conclusions were drawn about the influence of the alloy composition, the surface finish and the exposure time under maritime conditions. The samples of the three investigated duplex alloys exhibited the best corrosion resistance under the given maritime environmental conditions over the five-year period, both with and without crevice geometry. Likewise, the molybdenum alloy ferrite 1.4521 could achieve comparable corrosion resistance as the austenitic standard materials 1.4301 and 1.4404. The results on the freely exposed surfaces showed, that due to the washing effect the influence of the exposure time on the corrosion of the samples is low while the particular surface finish has a great influence on the overall corrosion behavior of the stainless steels. Thus, the electro-polished surfaces showed few signs of corrosion while the blasted surfaces exhibited very poor corrosion behavior. In the case of the covered specimens, the respective material-specific corrosion resistance as well as the exposure time have a significant influence on the corrosion behavior while the surface finishes were of marginal importance.
The quenching and partitioning (Q+P) heat treatment enables a higher deformability of high strength martensitic steels. Therefore, it is necessary to have some metastable austenite in the microstructure, which transforms in martensite during plastic deformation (TRIP-effect). This condition is guaranteed by the quenching and the additional partitioning treatment. Due to local carbon diffusion retained austenite is stabilized and a partial reversion of austenite from martensite occurs. The Q+P heat treatment was investigated for the martensitic stainless steel 1.4034 (X46Cr13) concerning the influence of partitioning time. In line with these efforts metallographic, XRD- and EBSD-measurements were performed to characterize the microstructural evolution. The mechanical experiments included mechanical testing with different strain rates. The reversion of austenite by the partitioning treatment could be detected with EBSD- and XRD-measurements. Further-more the results of the mechanical testing showed improved values of strength and de-formability because of the Q+P heat treatment.
The corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steels (MSS) depends strongly on the chemical composition and the applied heat treatment. Both determine the distribution of the alloying elements in the microstructure and the resulting material properties. The addition of nitrogen is known to be beneficial for the pitting corrosion resistance of stainless steels. In case of MSS this effect is not only connected to nitro-gen itself because nitrogen can be used to substitute carbon which also influences the result of the heat treatment process. This paper shows the effect of nitrogen on the corrosion resistance in relation to the hardening process of MSS. Therefore the effects of austenitization temperature and cooling rate on microstructure, hardness and corrosion resistance were studied on the MSS X30CrMoN15 1 and X50CrMoV15. The effect of different cooling rates was studied using the jominy end quench test. The changes in corrosion resistance were detected with electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) and by the determination of critical pitting potentials. Besides this experimental approach thermodynamic calculations with the software thermocalc will be presented and used for the interpretation of the effect of nitrogen on the corrosion resistance of MSS.
Since geothermal wells are a feasible energy source to replace fossil fuel supply, many technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energy. Nevertheless, service conditions in geothermal facilities are due to the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids and temperatures, in many cases, extreme in terms of corrosion. Therefore, materials selection based on preliminary material qualification is essential to guarantee a secure and reliable operation of the facilities.
The corrosion behavior of different high-alloyed metals including duplex and austenitic stainless steels as well as a nickel alloy have been evaluated in artificial geothermal fluids simulating the conditions in some locations with geothermal potential in Germany as well as two sites in Indonesia.
The suitability of carbon steel 25CrMo4, stainless steels X2CrNiMo17-12-2, X2CrNiMo-22-5, X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 and super austenitic steel X1CrNiMoCu32-28-7 in these geothermal fluids obtained by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests is limited. The nickel alloy NiCr23Mo16Al shows an excellent corrosion resistance against pitting corrosion. Excluding its high cost, it is a very good alternative to be used in the construction of geothermal facilities having highly saline brines. Stainless and duplex steels exhibit a limited corrosion resistance concerning pitting and crevice corrosion.
Beside of the higher alloyed materials, also the low-alloyed steel 25CrMo4 could be employed as a constructional material for the geothermal power plant in stagnant highly acidic non saline environments, as long as the wall thickness of the material vs. corrosion rate is taken into account.
Since geothermal wells are a feasible energy source to replace fossil fuel supply, many technologies have been developed to take advantage of geothermal energy. Nevertheless, service conditions in geothermal facilities are due to the chemical composition of hydrothermal fluids and temperatures, in many cases, extreme in terms of corrosion.
Therefore, materials selection based on preliminary material qualification is essential to guarantee a secure and reliable operation of the facilities. The corrosion behavior of different high-alloyed metals including Duplex and austenitic stainless steels as well as a nickel alloy have been evaluated in artificial geothermal fluids simulating the conditions in some locations with geothermal potential in Germany as well as two sites in Indonesia. The suitability of carbon steel 25CrMo4, stainless steels X2CrNiMo17-12-2, X2CrNiMo-22-5, X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 and super austenitic steel X1CrNiMoCu32-28-7 in these geothermal fluids obtained by electrochemical measurements and exposure tests is limited. The nickel alloy NiCr23Mo16Al shows an excellent corrosion resistance against pitting corrosion. Excluding its high cost, it is a very good alternative to be used in the construction of geothermal facilities having highly saline brines. Stainless and Duplex steels exhibit a limited corrosion resistance concerning pitting and crevice corrosion. Beside of the higher alloyed materials, also the lowalloyed steel 25CrMo4 could be employed as a constructional material for the geothermal power plant in stagnant highly acidic non Saline environments, as long as the wall thickness of the material vs. corrosion rate is taken into account.
The presented investigations have proved the principal suitability of the KorroPad method to assess the passive layer stability of stainless steels. The electrochemical mode of action could be described in detail and limitations of the applicability have been demonstrated. The influence of different surface finishes has been investigated and verified by known methods for describing corrosion resistances. As a result, the increased corrosion susceptibility of two ground surfaces has been detected, but also the corrosion resistance of further surface finishes could be confirmed.