Effects of Microstructure on Corrosion of X70 Pipe Steel in an Alkaline Soil

Corrosion of X70 steel with different heat treatments (quenching, air cooling, and furnace cooling) in an alkaline soil was investigated by weight-loss, surface characterization and electrochemical measurements. The cathodic/anodic reactions of X70 steel in alkaline soil are dominated by the oxygen reduction and formation of iron oxides that deposit on the steel surface. The protection of the oxide deposit is through a physical block effect. The deposit layer formed on as-received steel has a compact, complete structure and thus, provides an effective protection over the underneath steel. However, the deposit layers on the heat-treated steels are generally loose, porous and defective, and provide minor protectiveness. Corrosion of steel is affected by its microstructure. Generally, steels with heat treatments have a higher corrosion rate than the as-received steel. The presence of more pearlite enhances the corrosion rate of ferrite by a galvanic effect. When the steel contains bainite and martenite phases, the activity of the steel is further increased.