This thesis reports on the research outcome of corrosion mechanism and corrosion rate of mild steel in different environments (saline, alkaline solutions and concrete media) using potentiodynamic polarization technique. The study also included the effect of corrosion on bond strength between reinforcing steel and concrete using pull-out test. Corrosion of mild steel and 316L stainless steel with different surface conditions in 1, 3 and 5% saline (NaCl + Distilled water) was investigated. Specimens ground with 200 and 600 grit silicon carbide grinding paper as well as 1¿m surface finish (polished with 1¿m diamond paste) were tested. In case of mild steel specimens, reduction in surface roughness caused increase in corrosion rate, while in 316L stainless steel corrosion rate decreased as the surface roughness improved. Metallographic examination of corroded specimens confirmed breakdown of passive region due to pitting corrosion. Corrosion of mild steel was also investigated in alkaline solution (saturated calcium hydroxide, pH =12.5) contaminated with 1, 3 and 5% saline. A series of corrosion experiments were also conducted to examine the efficiency of various concentrations of calcium nitrite (CN) on corrosion behaviour of both as-received and polished mild steel in alkaline solution containing 3% saline after 1 hour and 28 days of exposure. Corrosion rate was higher for the as-received than polished mild steel surface under the same testing conditions in NaCl alkaline solution with and without nitrites due to the effect of surface roughness. Morphology investigation of mild steel specimens in alkaline solution ii containing chlorides and nitrites showed localized pits even at nitrite concentration equal to chloride concentration. Corrosion of steel bars embedded in concrete having compressive strengths of 20, 30 and 46MPa was also investigated. The effect of 2 and 4% CN by weight of cement on corrosion behaviour of steel bar in low and high concrete strengths specimens were also studied. All reinforced concrete specimens were immersed in 3% saline solution for three different periods of 1, 7 and 15 days. In order to accelerate the chemical reactions, an external current of 0.4A was applied. Corrosion rate was measured by retrieving electrochemical information from polarization tests. Pull-out tests of reinforced concrete specimens were then conducted to assess the corroded steel/concrete bond characteristics. Experimental results showed that corrosion rate of steel bars and bond strength were dependent on concrete strength, amount of CN and acceleration corrosion period. As concrete strength increased from 20 to 46MPa, corrosion rate of embedded steel decreased. First day of corrosion acceleration showed a slight increase in steel/concrete bond strength, whereas severe corrosion due to 7 and 15 days corrosion acceleration significantly reduced steel/concrete bond strength. Addition of only 2% CN did not give corrosion protection for steel reinforcement in concrete with 20MPa strength at long time of exposure. However, the combination of good quality concrete and addition of CN appear to be a desirable approach to reduce the effect of chloride induced corrosion of steel reinforcement. At less time of exposure, specimens without CN showed higher bond strength in both concrete mixes than those with CN. After 7 days of corrosion acceleration, the higher concentration of CN gave higher bond strength in both concrete mixes. The same trend was observed at 15 days of corrosion acceleration except for the specimen with 20MPa compressive strength and 2% CN which recorded the highest deterioration in bond strength.

No description available.

No description available.

Commonly used amines in power industry, including morpholine, DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), and DMA (dimethylallylamine) were evaluated for their effect on AISI 1018 steel at 250oF. Samples were exposed to an autoclave containing amine added aqueous solution at pH of 9.5 for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours. Morphology studies were carried using scanning electron microscope (SEM), phase analysis was done utilizing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and weight loss was performed to assess kinetics of oxidation. Control samples showed the highest metal dissolution rate. DBU showed the best performance in metal protection and SEM indicated the presence of a free-crack layer formed by fine particles in that set. FTIR showed that DBU apparently favored the formation of magnetite. It is believed that fine particles impede intrusion of aggressive ions into the metal surface by forming a barrier layer. FTIR demonstrated that DMA formed more oxyhydroxides, whereas morpholine presented magnetite to hematite transformation as early as 2 hours. SEM revealed that control and DMA produced acicular particles characteristic of oxyhydroxides while morpholine and DBU presented more equiaxed particles.

Superhydrophobic coatings (SHC) with excellent self-cleaning and corrosion resistance property is developed on magnetite coated AISI SAE 1020 steel by using a simple immersion method. Roughness measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle measurement (CAM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), potentiodynamic polarization test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and qualitative characterization of self-cleaning behavior, antifouling property and durability of the coatings are assessed. A water contact angle as high as 152o on the coated surface with excellent self-cleaning and resistivity to corrosion and good longevity in atmospheric air is obtained. Self-cleaning test results prove that these surfaces can find applications in large scale production of engineering materials. Potentiodynamic polarization tests and EIS tests confirm that the superhydrophobic low carbon steel surfaces have better resistance to corrosion compared to bare steel and magnetite coated steel in 3.5% NaCl solution. But the longevity of the coated steel surfaces in 3.5% salt solution is limited, which is revealed by the immersion durability test. However, hydrophobic coatings (HC) have better stability in normal tap water, and it can stay unharmed up to 15 days. Finally, hydrophobic coatings on low carbon steel surface retains hydrophobic in open atmosphere for more than two months. Results of this investigation show surface roughness is a critical factor in manufacturing hydrophobic steel surfaces. Higher contact angles are obtained for rougher and more uniform surfaces. A linear mathematical relationship (y =6x+104; R2 = 0.93) is obtained between contact angle (y) and surface roughness (x).

No description available.

No description available.

A Primary objective of the present research is the development of robust CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering)-based approaches for designing armour plates subjected to ballistic impact by small-calibre hardened peojectiles with or without a protective sheath. Amongst the challenges in simulation is the capturing of target plate material behaviour at high strain rates with possibilities of adiabatic heating. A comprehensive numerical study carried out has resulted in the identification of simulation guidelines using a commercially available explicit finite element anlaysis solver (viz. LS_DYNA). The interferences thus drawn in terms of modeling approach 9I.e. shell, solid or axisymmetric or a mixed representation). Mesh density and element type, contact condition, and constitutive model 9I.e. discrete strain-rate based, Cowper-Symonds, or Johnson-Cook) with failure criteria are verifiable and greatly beneficial for armour plate design. Confidence in the suggested procedures has been obtained through extensive correlation of numerical results with experimental residual velocities and ballistic limits as well as projectile and target plate failure modes. A wide range of impact velocities has been considered (from a low velocity of about 5m/s to an ordnance range velocity of 800+ m/s). Target plates made of variants of mild steel and aluminium alloys have been studied. The simulation approaches have been applied to single-layered as well as multi-layered target plates. Although a majority of the comparisons has been made against published test results, a new ballistic impact testing facility has been set up in course of the current research and excellent correlation of numerically predicted residual velocities and failure modes has been obtained against the tests carried out for aluminium plate using the latter facility. A unique feature of the current experimental effort is the capturing of the complete trajectory of projectile beginning with oblique impact through subsequent perforation/ricochet. Furthermore, projectiles of various nose-shapes such as ogival, conical, hemispherical and blunt have been employed. The power of simulation has been demonstrated with the help of a number of parametric studies with variables such as plate thickness and material properties, as well as projectile mass and diameter, and obtaining physically consistent results. Additionally, existing semi empirical models for residual velocity and ballistic limit prediction have been reviewed, and new user-friendly models have been proposed based on energy conservation and predominant shear plugging failure mode of target plate. Finally, the goal of applying the present research work as a design tool can be well-served by packaging the knowledge gathered here in the form of a user-friendly guide with a graphical user interface(GUI). To this end, an application using MS windows VC++ utilities has been created with the functionalities of: (a) viewing reference LS-DYNA input data files for selecting typical problems of impact on steel and aluminium plates; (b) computing complete lists of strain rate-based material quantities required in LS-DYNA material models like discrete strain rate-based, Cowper-Symonds and Johnson-Cook by specifying the minimum number of easily available quasi-static properties (such as elastic modulus, yield and ultimate strengths, etc.), and (c) estimating residual velocities using the semi-empirical relations for steel and aluminium plates derived in the current work.

Les hydrogénases ont été identifiées comme des protéines clé de la corrosion induite par les microorganismes (CIM) mais leur réel impact est encore sujet à controverses. Bien qu’elles soient présentes dans la plupart des microorganismes impliqués dans la biocorrosion anaérobie, leur participation dans un transfert électronique direct a rarement été démontrée. L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier l’influence de l’hydrogénase sur la corrosion anaérobie de l’acier en approfondissant la compréhension des phénomènes interfaciaux qui régissent son action. Il s’agit en particulier d’étudier l’incidence des centres Fe-S présents dans la protéine et qui s’étaient révélés être des acteurs majeurs lors de précédents travaux au LGC. Pour cela, différents types d’hydrogénases ont été conçus, élaborés en collaboration avec l’équipe EAD3 du LISBP, INSA Toulouse, et étudiés : la native et des mutants possédant un nombre plus ou moins important de centres Fe-S. Dans un premier temps, le choix des matériaux a été réalisé sur la base des résultats de caractérisation et d’étude du comportement électrochimique dans le milieu Tris-HCl. L’acier doux S235JR a été choisi car c’est le matériau le plus réactif pour mettre en évidence l’influence de l’hydrogénase. Par la suite, les premières études en présence de divers types d’hydrogénases (native et mutants) ont révélé que la présence de certaines molécules additionnelles dans le milieu de purification ne permet pas d’obtenir un saut du potentiel d’abandon et une vitesse de corrosion exclusivement liés aux enzymes. Le protocole de purification des enzymes a donc été optimisé pour permettre un meilleur rendement de purification avec une activité enzymatique haute, tout en ayant le moins possible d’impact sur les signaux électrochimiques. Enfin, l’utilisation d’un sac de dialyse pour concentrer l’hydrogénase au voisinage de l’électrode de travail a permis d’exacerber l’effet de l’enzyme : une augmentation du potentiel d’abandon ainsi que de la vitesse de corrosion a été observée. La spectroscopie d’impédance couplée à des analyses de surface a également confirmé le fort pouvoir corrosif de l’hydrogénase. En outre, les électrolyses réalisées à potentiel cathodique ont mis en évidence la catalyse de la réaction de réduction par transfert électronique direct entre l’hydrogénase et la surface de l’acier. Le moteur responsable de la prise d’électrons est le centre catalytique de l’enzyme, les centres Fe-S jouant seulement un rôle de transfert des électrons au sein de la protéine. / Hydrogenases have been identified as key proteins in microbially induced corrosion (MIC) phenomena but their real impact is still a controversial issue. Even though they are present in most of the microorganisms involved in anaerobic biocorrosion, their participation in a direct electron transfer mechanism has rarely been demonstrated. The purpose of the present work is to study the influence of hydrogenase on the anaerobic corrosion of steel by deepening the understanding of interfacial phenomena governing its action. The study is particularly focusing on the effect of Fe-S clusters, which had proved to be major players in earlier work at LGC. To achieve this, different types of hydrogenases were designed, developed in collaboration with the EAD3 team of LIBP, INSA Toulouse, and studied: the native and mutants, containing a higher or lower number of Fe-S. First, the material choice was carried out on the base of the characterization results and electrochemical behavior study in TrisHCl medium. The S235JR mild steel was chosen since it is the more reactive material to highlight the influence of hydrogenase. Thereafter, the first studies in presence of various types of hydrogenases (native and mutants) have revealed that the presence of additional molecules in the purification medium does not permit to get an open-circuit potential jump and a corrosion rate that could be attributed solely to enzymes. The enzyme purification protocol has been then optimized to simultaneously allow a better purification performance with a high enzymatic activity and a lower impact on electrochemical signals. Finally, the use of a dialysis bag to concentrate hydrogenase in the close vicinity of the working electrode led to the exacerbation of the enzyme effect: an open-circuit potential ennoblement as well as a corrosion rate increase were observed. Impedance spectroscopy coupled with surface analysis also confirmed the strong corrosiveness of hydrogenase. Electrolysis performed at a cathodic potential brought to light the catalysis of the reduction reaction that occurred by direct electronic transfer between the hydrogenase and the steel surface. The driving force of the electron uptake is the catalytic center of the enzyme, the Fe-S clusters only acting in the electron transfer within the protein.

Bei der Beurteilung der Sicherheit bestehender Konstruktionen aus altem Baustahl (i. A. Flussstahl) und der Entscheidung über notwendige Instandsetzungs- und Verstärkungsmaßnahmen ist der Nachweis ausreichender Werkstoffzähigkeit (der Sicherheit gegen ein sprödes Versagen) von wesentlicher Bedeutung. Die in DIN EN 1993-1-10 normativ geregelten Nachweismethoden zur Beurteilung der Sprödbruchgefährdung wurden basierend auf umfangreichen bruchmechanischen Untersuchungen entwickelt. Sie gelten für Schweißkonstruktionen und „Stähle aus neuerer Zeit“ mit in der Regel hohen Zähigkeitswerten. Die Quantifizierung der Zähigkeit in Werkstoffnormen erfolgt durch Kerbschlagbiegeversuche. Die Beziehung zwischen der Übergangstemperatur der Kerbschlagarbeit und der Referenztemperatur der Bruchzähigkeit wird durch die modifizierte Sanz-Korrelation hergestellt, die nur für diese Stähle abgeleitet wurde. Das in der Norm verankerte Verfahren ist für alte Flussstahlkonstruktionen mit Lochschwächung durch Niet- und Schraubenverbindungen nicht geeignet. Einerseits unterscheiden sich Kerbwirkung und Eigenspannungszustand von geschweißten und genieteten Konstruktionen und damit die Zähigkeitsanforderungen wesentlich voneinander. Auf der anderen Seite unterliegen die Zähigkeitseigenschaften von Flussstählen deutlich größeren Streuungen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden experimentelle und rechnerische Untersuchungen zum Sprödbruchverhalten gelochter Konstruktionen aus altem Flussstahl vorgestellt. Wesentlicher Bestandteil sind dabei die umfangreichen Werkstoffanalysen zur Ermittlung der bruchmechanischen Werkstoffzähigkeit im spröd-duktilen Übergangsbereich nach dem Master-Curve-Konzept (ASTM E1921). Die Auswertungen belegen, dass in Abhängigkeit des Herstellungsverfahrens unterschiedliche Werkstoffgüten definiert werden können. Um den Einfluss des Stanzens von Löchern auf das Sprödbruchverhalten alter Flussstähle zu beurteilen, werden Gefügeuntersuchungen und Mikrohärtemessungen durchgeführt. Ausgehend von einer umfassenden Analyse typischer Konstruktionsformen bestehender Tragwerke des Stahlhochbaus erfolgen bruchmechanische FE-Berechnungen an Anschlüssen von Winkelprofilen zur Bestimmung der Zähigkeitsanforderungen. Die dabei gewonnenen Ergebnisse des Spannungsintensitätsfaktors werden durch Modifikation bekannter Lösungen aus der Fachliteratur für die weitere Anwendung aufbereitet. Darauf aufbauend wird für die untersuchten Konstruktionsdetails im Rahmen einer bruchmechanischen Sicherheitsanalyse ein praxisgerechtes Verfahren zur Beurteilung der Sprödbruchgefährdung genieteter und geschraubter Bauteile abgeleitet. Mit Hilfe statistischer Methoden werden Streuungen der Festigkeits- und Zähigkeitskennwerte der Flussstähle erfasst und nach der Verifizierung durch Bauteilversuche in ein semi-probabilistisches Nachweiskonzept überführt.