Propagation of Localised Corrosion: FEM Approach
M. Stroe1, R. Oltra1, B. Vuillemin1, and G. Girardin2
1Institut Carnot de Bourgogne (ICB), Dijon, France
2AREVA NP, France
Concentration profiles for a 18% Cr stainless steel crevice of 2 mm depth
Crevice corrosion of stainless steel in chloride media was investigated based on an 11 species model. The role of parameters such as pH inside the crevice, external potential, chloride concentration of the bulk solution and crevice geometry was studied.
A thermodynamic criterion for arrest / propagation of the crevice corrosion was used in order to identify the conditions for which the localized corrosion can propagate.
This study shows that there is a combination of crevice geometry and potential for which the crevice is not blocked by precipitates, and thus the corrosion can proceed.