Most area of the earth is ocean. Therefore, exploitation of marine resources and utilization of marine space rapidly increase in recent years. Most of marine structures, such as wharfs, oil drilling platforms, coastal bridges, airports, etc. are mainly constructed by steel. It is therefore very important to develop marine corrosion resistant steels that do not require protection and are inexpensive.

In this study, a series of low alloy steels were prepared by the method of experimental design as well as conventional design to study the effects of alloying elements on the marine corrosion resistance, under consideration of the requirement of mechanical properties. All steels were cyclically dipped to synthetic sea water in the laboratory for 7 weeks or exposed in the Taichung Harbor for more than 4 years. Both test results show similar tendency of the effects of alloying elements, but the effects of fouling on pitting were only observed in the latter. Addition of phosphorus and copper can improve the general corrosion resistance in atmospheric splash zone and titanium has the same effect in sea water. Molybdenum can improve the general corrosion resistance in both splash and tidal zones and pitting resistance in tidal and submerged zones. Due to enrichment of the alloying elements in the rust resulting in development of inner dense rust layer and change of rust composition, the anti-corrosion ability of most designed steels can be enhanced in marine environment. In addition, the corrosion resistance of most tested steels is superior to plain carbon steel (A-36) and weathering steel (Acr-Ten A)(1) in Taichung Harbor.

Subject
Water, Molybdenum, Splash zone, Alloying elements, Steel, Rust, Maritime, Ports and harbors, Corrosion resistance, Copper, Tidal zone, Fouling, Submerged zone
Keywords:
marine corrosion, alloying element, fouling, pitting, low alloy steel, carbon steel, weathering steel
© 1995 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1995
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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