Passivity and Pitting Corrosion of X80 Pipeline Steel in Carbonate/Bicarbonate Solution Studied by Electrochemical Measurements

This work investigated the effects of chloride ions and hydrogen-charging on the passivity and pitting corrosion behavior of X80 pipeline steel in a bicarbonate-carbonate solution by electrochemical and photo-electrochemical techniques. It was found that a stable passivity can be established on the steel in the absence and presence of chloride ions. The hydrogen-charging does not alter the transpassive potential, but increases the passive current density. When chloride ions are contained in the solution, pitting corrosion will be initiated. The pitting potential is independent of the hydrogen-charging. Hydrogen-charging would enhance the anodic dissolution and electrochemical activity of the steel, but does not affect the pitting potential, which indicates that the charged hydrogen is not involved in the pitting initiation. However, hydrogen may accelerate the pit growth. Photo illumination could enhance the activity of the steel electrode, resulting in an increase of photo-induced anodic current density.