Stainless steel (SS) has emerged as an alternative corrosion-resistant reinforcement in concrete instead of the commonly used carbon steel (CS). The biggest advantage of SS is that it takes more time for corrosion to initiate than for CS. An additional benefit from the use of SS in concrete may be derived from the period after the corrosion started until the concrete structure reaches a limit state. This period is called corrosion propagation stage (CPS) and it has been hardly studied in SS reinforced structures. The duration of this period could be related, among other factors, to the morphology of corrosion of stainless steel in concrete. In some instances, the corrosion detection methods for CS have been used on SS reinforced structures to estimate the corrosion condition. However, there is uncertainty if these methods can detect corrosion in SS reinforced structures properly. This investigation was organized in two parts: literature review and experimental work. The literature review indicated among other findings that the duration of the CPS of SS’s embedded in concrete may be estimated to be in the order of several decades. High-grade SS’s would have a longer duration of the CPS. The review also indicated that even localized corrosion of SS reinforcement may induce concrete cracking. The literature also suggested that the corrosion detection on SS reinforced concrete may require a combination of conventional methods (half-cell potential) and advanced electrochemical techniques such as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Electrochemical noise, etc. The experimental work focused on further determining whether corrosion of SS in concrete can be detected by methods traditionally used for CS reinforcement, and to what extent localization of corrosion of SS compares with that of CS in concrete. The experiments consisted in accelerated corrosion testing of controlled anodic regions along concrete beams, for which tests were designed and initiated. Martensitic UNS S41000 SS bars were partially embedded in chloride contaminated concrete (5.84% by weight of cement) to cause active corrosion. AISI 1018 CS was also used for comparison purposes. Traditional half-cell potential measurements on the reinforced concrete specimens were evaluated in comparison to that of advanced electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Additional concrete resistivity monitoring gave an indication of the degree of the pore structure formation. The traditional half-cell potential measurements on AISI 1018 CS reinforced concrete specimens appeared to be suitable to estimate the corrosion state of the reinforcement. However, there was uncertainty on the interpretation of the half-cell potential results and thus the corrosion state of UNS S41000 SS reinforced concrete specimens. Low-dispersion corrosion rates values were found over large areas on SS and CS bars in concrete, but that SS embedded in concrete also seemed to develop instances of corrosion rate peaks. Among other findings, the duration of CPS of CS in concrete was estimated to be in the interval [6-59] years. Assuming that the CPS had been reached, SS specimens in concrete appeared to have a much longer duration of CPS than CS, with an interval [57-253] years. However, this assumption is likely not valid and more work is required to assess the CPS of SS reinforced concrete.

No description available.

Stress-corrosion cracking of austenitic alloys in an oxygen-free carbon dioxide environment containing chloride ions was studied under static conditions. Stiffness and X-ray measurements supported results obtained from SEM photomicrographs indicating that the CT specimens loaded to a stress intensity of 22 ksi-in^.5 were not susceptible to SCC in this environment. These alloys were also evaluated for their SCC resistance in boiling MgCl₂ and NaCl solutions. Results of this study indicated that alloys containing higher nickel contents were more resistant to chloride SCC. / Master of Science

The optimal conditions for deposition of zinc-nickel alloys onto stainless steel discs in alkaline solutions have been examined. In the past cadmium has been used because it shows good corrosion protection, but other methods are being examined due to the high toxicity and environmental threats posed by its use. Zinc has been found to provide good corrosion resistance, but the corrosion resistance is greatly increased when alloyed with nickel. The concentration of nickel in the deposit has long been a debated issue, but for basic solutions a nickel concentration of 8-15% appears optimal. However, deposition of zinc-nickel alloys from acidic solutions has average nickel concentrations of 12-15%. Alkaline conditions give a more uniform deposition layer, or better metal distribution, thereby a better corrosion resistance. Although TEA (triethanolamine) is most commonly used to complex the metals in solution, in this work I examined TEA along with other complexing agents. Although alkaline solutions have been examined, most research has been done in pH ≥ 12 solutions. However, there has been some work performed in the pH 9.3-9.5 range. This work examines different ligands in a pH 9.3-9.4 range. Direct potential plating and pulse potential plating methods are examined for optimal platings. The deposits were examined and characterized by XRD.

The use of stainless steel alloys in reinforced concrete structures has shown great success in mitigating corrosion in even the most severe of exposures. However, the use of high-strength stainless steels (HSSSs) for corrosion mitigation in prestressed concrete (PSC) structures has received limited attention. To address these deficiencies in knowledge, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of using HSSSs for corrosion mitigation in PSC. The study examined mechanical behavior, corrosion resistance, and techniques for the production of HSSS prestressing strands. Stainless steel grades 304, 316, 2101, 2205, 2304, and 17-7 along with a 1080 prestressing steel control were included in the study. Tensile strengths of 1250 to 1550 MPa (181 to 225 ksi) were achieved in the cold-drawn HSSSs. 1000 hr stress relaxation of all candidate HSSSs was predicted to be between 6 and 8 % based on the results of 200 hr tests conducted at 70 % of the ultimate tensile strength. Residual stresses due to the cold drawing had a significant influence on stress vs. strain behavior and stress relaxation. Electrochemical corrosion testing found that in solutions simulating alkaline concrete, all HSSSs showed exceptional corrosion resistance at chloride (Cl-) concentrations from zero to 0.25 M. However, when exposed to solutions simulating carbonated concrete, corrosion resistance was reduced and the only HSSSs with acceptable corrosion resistance were duplex grades 2205 and 2304, with 2205 resistant to corrosion initiation at Cl- concentrations up to 1.0 M (twice that in seawater). Based on these results, duplex grades 2205 and 2304 were identified as optimal HSSSs and were included in additional studies which found that: (1) 2304 is susceptible to corrosion when tested in a stranded geometry, (2) 2205 and 2304 are not susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, and (3) 2205 and 2304 are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. Efforts focused on the production of 2205 and 2304 prestressing strands showed that they could be produced as strands using existing ASTM A416 prestressing strand production facilities. Due to the ferromagnetic properties of 2205 and 2304, a low-relaxation heat treatment was found to be a viable option to reduce stress relaxation and improve mechanical properties. The overall conclusion of the study was that HSSSs, especially duplex grades 2205 and 2304, show excellent promise to mitigate corrosion if utilized as prestressing reinforcement in PSC structures exposed to severe marine environments.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:54:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:07:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:54:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:07:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal investigar o comportamento frente à corrosão de aços inoxidáveis avançados em meios fisiológicos. Foram selecionados para o estudo quatro aços inoxidáveis visando avaliar o potencial destes para aplicações em implantes cirúrgicos: um aço superferrítico (DIN W. Nr. 1.4575), a Incoloy MA 956, contendo alumínio e óxido de ítrio, um aço austenítico DIN W. Nr. 1.4970 e um aço superaustenítico obtido por meio da adição de 0,87% de nitrogênio ao aço dúplex DIN W. Nr. 1.4460. Os três primeiros aços contêm baixo teor de níquel e suas películas protetoras são ricas em cromo, enquanto a Incoloy MA 956 é isenta de níquel, e rica em alumínio, o que influencia o seu filme passivo. Os materiais foram analisados usando técnicas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE), polarização potenciodinâmica, técnica do eletrodo vibrante, microscopia eletroquímica de varredura, microscopia eletrônica de varredura de emissão de campo, microscopia ótica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os meios escolhidos para avaliação da resistência à corrosão foram a solução de Hanks, um meio de cultura e uma solução tamponada com fosfato. Os resultados de EIE foram interpretados usando circuitos elétricos equivalentes que simularam uma camada passiva dúplex em todos os materiais analisados. Todos os materiais analisados apresentaram resistência à corrosão superior à do aço inoxidável AISI 316L, correspondente ao ASTM F-138, que é o mais utilizado na fabricação de implantes metálicos. Também foi destacada a importância do tratamento de solubilização nos aços com alto teor de nitrogênio. O DIN W. Nr. 1.4970 foi considerado citotóxico e sua potencialidade para uso como biomaterial, rejeitada. O DIN W. Nr. 1.4575 e Incoloy MA 956 podem ser usados como biomateriais, mas somente em próteses odontológicas ou de fácil remoção, devido ao seu comportamento ferromagnético. O DIN W. Nr. 1.4460 com 0,87% de nitrogênio foi o que apresentou as condições mais apropriadas para uso como biomaterial, inclusive para próteses ortopédicas. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Aluminum (Al) and its alloys are widely used in various technological applications, mainly due to the excellent thermal conductivity, non-magnetic, ecofriendly, easy formability and good recyclability. However due to the inferior corrosion resistance its applications are hampered in various engineering sectors. Besides, the corrosion related failures such as leakage of gas from pipeline, catastrophic breakdown of bridges and fire accidents in processing plants further puts the human life in jeopardy. Within the United States over $ 400 billion dollars per year are spent over research to understand and prevent the corrosion related failures. Recently, the development of transition metal(TM) aluminides (AlxTMy, where, TM = Mo, W, Ta, Nb, Cr, Zr and V) has received the global attention mainly due to high strength at elevated temperatures, light-weight, excellent corrosion and wear resistance. In light of this, surface modification via laser surface alloying (LSA) is a promising engineering approach to mitigate the corrosion and wear problems. In the present study the attempts are made to study the Al-Mo, Al-W, Al-Nb, and Al-Ta systems as a potential corrosion resistant coatings on aluminum. The refractory metal (Mo, W, Nb, Ta) precursor deposit was spray coated separately on aluminum substrate and was subsequently surface alloyed using a continuous wave diode-pumped ytterbium laser at varying laser energy densities. Microstructural analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and further X-ray diffractometry was carried out to evaluate the various phases evolved during laser surface alloying. Corrosion resistance of laser alloyed coatings were evaluated using open circuit potential, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed in 0.6 M NaCl solution (pH:6.9±0.2, 23˚C). Open circuit potential measurements indicate the more stable (steady state) potential values over long periods after laser surface alloying. Cyclic polarization results indicated reduction in the corrosion current density, enhancement in the polarization resistance, and increase in coating/protective efficiency with increase in laser energy density compared to untreated aluminum. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements also indicated an increase in charge transfer resistance after laser surface alloying of refractory metals on aluminum. Additionally, first principle calculations of thermodynamic, electronic and elastic properties of intermetallics evolved during LSA were also thoroughly investigated to correlate the corrosion performance of intermetallic coatings with these properties. The present study indicates that novel Al-Mo, Al-W, Al-Nb, and Al-Ta intermetallics has a great potential for light weight structural applications with enhanced corrosion resistance.

In the oil and gas industry, high corrosion resistance and hardness are needed to extend the lifetime of the coatings due to exposure to high stress and salt environments. Electrodeposition has become a favorable technique in synthesizing coatings because of low cost, convenience, and the ability to work at low temperatures. Electrodeposition of metal matrix composites has become popular for enhanced corrosion resistance and hardness in the oil and gas industry because of the major problems that persist with corrosion. Two major alloys of copper-nickel, 90-10 and 70-30, were evaluated for microbial corrosion protection in marine environments on a stainless steel substrate. Copper and copper alloys are commonly used in marine environments to resist biofouling of materials by inhibiting microbial growth. Literature surveying the electrodeposition of Cu-Ni incorporated with nano- to micro- particles to produce metal matrix composites has been reviewed. Also, a novel flow cell design for the enhanced deposition of metal matrix composites was examined to obtain the optimal oriented structure of the layered silicates in the metal matrix. With the addition of montmorillonite into the Ni and Cu-Ni matrix, an increase in strength, adhesion, wear and fracture toughness of the coating occurs, which leads to an increase corrosion resistance and longevity of the coating. These coatings were evaluated for composition and corrosion using many different types of instrumental and electrochemical techniques. The overall corrosion resistance and mechanical properties were improved with the composite films in comparison to the pure metals, which proves to be advantageous for many economic sectors including the oil and gas industry.

M. Tech. (Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology. / Pure Ti, Nb, Zr, Al and V powders were used as starting materials. Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr materials produced by SPS were compared on the basis of density, microstructure, biocompatibility, tensile strength and corrosion resistance. In this study, powder metallurgy (PM) processing route was used to fabricate the alloys. The processing route was mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Commercially pure metallic powders (Ti, Nb, Zr, V and Al) of different morphological features and different formulations were prepared. Powder mixing for ternary alloys with Ti as the matrix were conducted in a turbula mixer at a speed of 49 rpm. Followed by mechanical alloying of Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr in a high energy ball mill for 5h at 500rpm, with a ball to powder ratio of 10:1. Spark plasma sintering of Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr biomedical alloys was conducted using a hybrid spark plasma sintering furnace at a sintering temperature, heating rate, holding time and pressure of 1200°C, 100°C/min, 10min and 50MPa, respectively. Ti-34Nb-25Zr was fabricated in two ways, fully densified and porous samples. The fully densified sample was fabricated at a sintering temperature, heating rate and holding time and pressure of 1200°C, 100°C/min, 10min and 50MPa, respectively. Whereas, porous Ti-34Nb-25Zr was fabricated using NaCl space holder at a sintering temperature, heating rate, holding time and pressure of 750°C, 50°C/min, 5min and 50MPa, respectively. This was done to compare the solid and porous alloy biocompatibility behaviour. Microstructures, elemental compositions. Phase constitution of the sintered specimens were examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipped with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) and an x-ray diffractometer (XRD). The microstructure of Ti-34Nb-25Zr had pores and precipitates of niobium. Relative density, micro-hardness, biocompatibility and corrosion test was also conducted on the metallographically polished cross sections of sintered specimens. Ti, Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-34Nb-25Zr alloys made from the irregularly shaped Ti powders and sintered on the hybrid sintering machine yielded higher densifications reaching up to 100 % relative densities. Hardness values ranging from 300-600Hv at a load of 0.5kg. The corrosion resistance of the alloys was higher in the range of 2-4 nA/cm2 exhibiting a passive behaviour in simulated body fluids, such as Hank’s, 0.9wt.% NaCl and eagles minimum essential + 10% fetal bovine serum (E-MEM+ 10% FBS). Biocompatibility tests were conducted (cytotoxicity by WST-1 with SaOS-2 human osteosarcoma cells, protein adsorption and surface wettability). Fibronectin adsorption was less for solid Ti and Ti-34Nb-25Zr (<2ng/mm) compared to Ti-34Nb-25Zr porous and Ti-6Al-4V (4 ng/mm). Albumin adsorption was the highest on Ti substrate (3 ng/mm) than on the fully densified and porous Ti-34Nb-25Zr surfaces followed by less adsorption on Ti-6Al-4V. Surface wettability of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V showed a high contact angle of between 93-98° compared to 86° for the Ti-34Nb-25Zr solid alloy, indicating that Ti-34Nb-Zr alloys exhibited hydrophilic behaviour. The surface wettability results correlated well to less fibronectin adsorption on Ti-34Nb-25Zr solid alloy and excellent adsorption for Ti-6Al-4V. Solid and porous Ti-34Nb-25Zr showed less cell proliferation (0.06 and 0.02% cell viability) which was possibly linked to fibronectin adsorption results. Biocompatibility behaviour of Ti-34Nb-25Zr solid and porous alloys was poorer than Ti (0.20% cell viability) and Ti-6Al-4V (0.23% cell viability). There was poor protein adsorption and cell proliferation on all the alloy substrates.