Oxidation behaviour of low carbon steel in natural water

Abstract

Natural water pollution has been identified as a potential danger to metallic materials used under service conditions. Sea water and lake water foulants have adequate corrosive environment due to chemical ingredients especially haiides compounds. Overall bacterial activity also results in the formation of highly aggressive sulphur bearing compounds, free sulphide, and ammonia in sea water, lake water as well as rain water. The corrosion behaviour of low carbon steel in the laboratory has been investigated in presence of sea water, lake water and rain water in air. The deposition of fouling debris and biofouling were studied. The foulants have deleterious effect on the protectivity of the surface and rapid degradation of the alloy is noted. The scale morphologies were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques.