Macrofouling induced localized corrosion of stainless steel in Singapore seawater

• Published in: Corrosion science Vol. 129; pp. 152 - 160
• Main Authors: Blackwood, Daniel J., Lim, Chin Sing, Teo, Serena L.M., Hu, Xiaoping, Pang, Jianjun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: A. Stainless steel; B. Weight loss; Biofouling; C. Crevice corrosion; C. Microbiological corrosion; Corrosion resistance; Crevice corrosion; Localized corrosion; Mussels; Oysters; Seawater; Shellfish; Stainless steel; Stainless steels; Studies; Thick plates; Singapore; C. Crevice corrosion; A. Stainless steel; B. Weight loss; C. Microbiological corrosion
• ISSN: 0010-938X; 1879-0496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2017.10.008

•Long-term exposure (30 months) of stainless steels in tropical marine seawaters.•Oysters caused extensive localised corrosion, penetrating 2mm in 12 months, with crevice tracks several centimetres long.•Propensity for corrosion by shellfish of UNS S31603 is ranked as oyster>>barnacles>>green mussels.•Postulation for why crevice corrosion is more severe under dead barnacles than under live ones. Biofouling induced corrosion of stainless steels grades UNS S31603 and UNS S31254 was investigated at three sites off Singapore for 30months. No corrosion was observed on grade UNS S31254, while the propensity for corrosion by shellfish of UNS S31603 is ranked as oyster>>barnacles>>green mussels. Oysters caused extensive localised corrosion, penetrating 2mm thick plates with 12months with tracks of corrosion several centimetres long. Shallow crevice corrosion was observed under dead barnacles, with an explanation presented for why corrosion is more severe under dead barnacles than live ones. Green mussels did not cause any corrosion.