Influence of Testing Temperature on the Corrosion Behavior of API 5L X70 Pipeline Steel

It is known that localized corrosion attack takes a preponderant role in the onset of stress corrosion cracking of pipeline steels in high pH conditions. Carbonate/bicarbonate solutions can be employed to study the localized corrosion behavior of these materials. In addition to the presence of chloride ions in the electrolyte, the solution temperature is also of prime importance to the onset of pitting corrosion. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of the testing temperature on the corrosion behavior of the API 5L X70 pipeline steel which is a standard material for gas pipelines in Brazil. Samples were exposed to a solution consisting of Na2CO3, NaHCO3 and NaCl at three different temperatures： RT （room temperature）, 40 ℃ and 60 ℃. The corrosion morphology was observed using SEM （scanning electron microscopy）. The results showed that pitting corrosion became facilitated when the steel was immersed at higher temperatures.

STUDY OF THE X70 PIPELINE STEEL CORRODING IN 3.0wt% NaCl SOLUTION USING ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY TECHNIQUE

The corrosion process of the X70 pipeline steel in 3.0wt% NaCl solution were studied using polarization method, and the chronological characteristics during the entire polarization plot were investigated in detail using EIS technique. In the active region of X70 steel, such as 20mV potential bias applied on open circuit potential (OCP), the impedance spectra was comprised of three parts: a high-frequency capacitive loop, a middle-frequency capacitive loop and a low-frequency inductive component. When positive polarization potential increased, the capacitive loops at high and middle frequency range merged, and the inductive component at low frequency shrunk. At high positive polarization potential bias (500-800mV vs. OCP), the high-frequency capacitive loop and the low-frequency inductive loop exhibited as disheveled points due to the synergism of the inhomogeneity of the corroding material and the localized corrosion. The results were fitted utilizing the equivalent circuits to simulate the impedance spectra and to interpret the electrochemical features shown during the experiments.

Effect of pH Value on Stress Corrosion Cracking of X70 Pipeline Steel in Acidic Soil Environment

The effect of pH value on the stress corrosion cracking （SCC） of API XT0 pipeline steel in simulated acidic soil solutions was investigated by using slow strain rate test, electrochemical polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, pH plays an important role in the susceptibility and electrochemical mechanism of SCC. The pH higher than 5 has no significant effect on electrochemical processes. By contrast, the pH lower than 5 intensifies cathodic hydrogen evolution reactions, thus increasing the cathodic current and corrosion potential. Under different pH values, the SCC mechanism of XT0 pipeline steel varies among anodic dissolution （AD）, hydrogen embrittlement （HE）, and the combination of AD and HE （AD ＋ HE） with variations of applied potential. At -850 mVscE, the SCC mechanism is HE if pH is less than 4 or AD 4- HE if pH value is more positive.

Effect of Environmental Factors on Electrochemical Behavior of X70 Pipeline Steel in Simulated Soil Solution

Potentiodynamic polarization measurement was used to investigate the effects of temperature, dissolved ox- ygen concentration and pH on the electrochemical behavior of X70 pipeline steel in simulated solution according to the orthogonal testing method. The results showed that temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and pH had great influence on corrosion current density （icorr） of X70 steel. Corrosion current density of X70 steel was most influenced by dissolved oxygen concentration in simulated solution. The corrosion degree of X70 steel was the least under the environment of low temperature, deficient oxygen and weak acid.