Study on the corrosion behaviors of high-silicon chromium iron in acidic and alkaline soil solutions

Abstract

Purpose High-silicon chromium iron (HSCI) has been used in ground grids in southern China, while there was a lack of study on its corrosion behavior in this soil environment. The purpose of this paper is to discover the corrosion of HSCI in acidic and alkaline soil solutions. Design/methodology/approach The original defects on the HSCI surface were observed using optical microscopy, and the corrosion behavior of the HSCI in the acidic and alkaline soil solutions were jointly detected using electrochemical measurements and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer. Findings The results showed the corrosion rates of the HSCI in the acidic and alkaline soil solutions were limited, and the high contents of Cr and Si in matrix was responsible for its high corrosion resistance. The HSCI showed a similar corrosion tendency in the two solutions, while its corrosion rate in the acid soil solution was higher than that in the alkaline soil solution. The corrosion pits on the specimen surface were originated from the original defects in matrix, and the edges of the corrosion pits were more rounded than the original defects after 720 h immersion in the two solutions. The original defects in the HSCI matrix played a significant role in the corrosion process. Originality/value The paper discovered the corrosion evolution of HSCI in the acidic and alkaline soil solutions. What is more, the acceleration role of the original defects on the corrosion of the HSCI in the acidic and alkaline soil solutions was discovered in the paper. The results are beneficial for the material selection of ground grid equipment in engineering.

Review on Soil Corrosion and Protection of Grounding Grids

“…The addition of appropriate alloying elements can enhance the corrosion resistance of the materials. Lv et al [120] conducted a study on the corrosion behavior of high-silicon ferrochrome in soil, revealing that higher levels of silicon and chromium in the matrix significantly reduced the steel's corrosion rate. Li et al [121] developed a Cr microalloyed low-carbon steel and compared its corrosion behavior with that of Q235 steel in soil.…”

Weak impact of underground water on corrosion inhibition of resistance-reducing agent

“…Generally speaking, the lower the resistivity of soil, the better the discharge effect of grounding grid (Zhang et al , 2021), however, the more serious the corrosion of buried steel (Melchers and Wells, 2018). Corrosion will affect the service life and safe operation of ground grid (Xia et al , 2022a; Lv et al , 2021).…”

Corrosion of an AZ31B Magnesium Alloy by Sulfate-Reducing Prokaryotes in a Mudflat Environment

“…Nowadays, most studies are performed with simulated soil solutions [ 25 , 26 ]. Liu et al [ 27 , 28 ] reported that in the soil simulant, SRP promote corrosion of carbon steel, but the soil layer affects the adhesion of SRP to reduce the corrosion rate.…”