SEDL / STP / STP727-EB / STP28041S

Electrochemical Behavior of Carbon Steel in Fused Salts

Chen, CM
Senior research engineer and group supervisor, Babcock & Wilcox, Alliance, Ohio

Theus, GJ
Senior research engineer and group supervisor, Babcock & Wilcox, Alliance, Ohio

Pages: 24    Published: Jan 1981

Download this paper for $25 PDF (288K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

The polarization resistance method was used to assess the corrosion rate and to study the oxidation kinetics of carbon steel in a fused nitrate-sulfate-chloride salt mixture at 316°C (600°F) and in an alkali iron trisulfate salt at 677°C (1250°F). The same method was also applied to estimate the corrosion rate of carbon steel through the solidified frozen alkali iron trisulfate salt.

Equilibrium potential/pO²⁻ diagrams were constructed for iron, nitrate, and nitrate-reaction products to aid in the interpretation of corrosion data for the nitrate-rich salt and to determine the various chemical reactions causing the corrosion.