Evaluation of biocorrosion on stainless steels using laboratory-reared barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to use the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite reared in the laboratory to investigate the effects of juveniles on corrosion behaviour of three stainless steels (SS): UNS S31600, N08904 and UNS S32760. Design/methodology/approach – Barnacle larvae were maintained in a laboratory until they reached the cypris larval stage. A total of 100 cyprids were added to four individual containers; each SS coupon (70 × 50 × 2 mm3) was immersed into the containers. After the cyprids attached to the coupons, juveniles were reared for 21 days with the microalgae Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve. Values of open circuit potential (OCP), breakdown potential (Eb) and polarisation resistance (Rp) were evaluated, along with surface examinations. Findings – OCP differences between barnacles and control coupons were not apparent. However, the lowest values of Eb and Rp were observed in the presence of juvenile barnacles, demonstrating the SS corrosion caused by these organisms. Crevice c...