Corrosion of Stainless Steel Pipes Buried in the Soils of Seoul Metropolitan During One Year

Abstract

Factors affecting corrosion of stainless steels such as pH, oxidation and redox potential (ORP), soil resistivity, water content of soil, chloride ion concentration, bacteria activity, and corrosion potential have been investigated using soil analysis, bacterial analysis, surfacial analysis, and analysis of corrosion potentials of several stainless steels buried in 8 sites of Seoul metropolitan for one year. Corrosion potential was affected by occurrance of corrosion as well as bacteria activity but the behavior of corrosion potential with time is different depending on occurrance of corrosion and bacteria activity. The main factor affecting corrosion of stainless steels in soil is level of chloride ion concentration which is also a main factor affecting corrosion of stainless steels in chloride containing drinkable water. Furthermore, guideline of stainless steels in drinkable water is concluded to be applicable to that in soil by the results from surfacial analysis.