The rapid and unexpected failure of AISI type 304 stainless steel in a wastewater treatment system was investigated in the laboratory by simulation studies for a period of 4 months. Slime and water samples from the failure site were screened for corrosion causing bacteria. Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. were the most common aerobic bacteria isolated whilst sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) were the major anaerobic bacteria. Compared to sterile controls, metal coupons exposed to Pseudomonas sp and Bacillus sp. showed initiation of severe pitting corrosion suggesting the possibility of MIC. As the appearance of pits was different in both the tested strains, it was thought that the mechanisms of corrosion are different.

Subject
Pits, Scanning electron microscopy, Water, Materials, Slime, Bacillus, Biofilms, Mechanical failure, Bacteria, Pitting, Corrosion coupons, Stainless steel, Microbiologically influenced corrosion
Keywords:
Bacteria, Biofilms, pitting, Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion, Stainless steel
Government work published by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) with permission of the author(s). 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).
2004
GOV
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