Effect of Oxide Scale Microstructure on Atmospheric Corrosion Behavior of Hot Rolled Steel Strip

The atmospheric corrosion behavior of a hot-rolled strip with four types (I–IV) of oxide scale was investigated using the accelerated wet–dry cycle corrosion test. Corrosion resistance and porosity of oxide scale were studied by potentiometric polarization measurements. Characterization of samples after 80 cycles of the wet–dry corrosion test showed that scale comprised wustite and magnetite had strongest corrosion resistance. Oxide scale composed of inner magnetite/iron (>70%) and an outer magnetite layer had the weakest corrosion resistance. The corrosion kinetics (weight gain) of each type of oxide scale followed an initial linear and then parabolic (at middle to late corrosion) relationship. This could be predicted by a simple kinetic model which showed good agreement with the experimental results. Analysis of the potentiometric polarization curves, obtained from oxide coated steel electrodes, revealed that the type I oxide scale had the highest porosity, and the corrosion mechanism resulted from the joint effects of electrochemical behavior and the porosity of the oxide scale. In the initial stage of corrosion, the corrosion product nucleated and an outer rust layer formed. As the thickness of outer rust layer increased, the corrosion product developed on the scale defects. An inner rust layer then formed in the localized pits as crack growth of the scale. This attacked the scale and expanded into the substrate during the later stage of corrosion. At this stage, the protective effect of the oxide scale was lost.