Effects of naturally-progressed corrosion on the chemical and mechanical properties of structural steels

Abstract

The objective of the paper was to experimentally examine the effects of corrosion wear on the chemical and mechanical properties of structural steels. Naturally-progressed corrosion testing on structural steel specimens was conducted during a period of 12 months. Three types of structural steels were tested: mild steel (grade A), AH32 steel, and DH32 steel. Different conditions of the corrosive environment were applied with three dry or water-immersed conditions, namely air (dry), freshwater immersion and seawater immersion, and with three temperatures, namely room temperature (18 °C), 0 °C, and −10 °C. The chemical and mechanical properties of structural steels were measured before and after the corrosion testing. Based on the test results, the characteristics of corrosion progression rate for structural steels were studied and reported in a separate paper [21, doi: https://doi.org//10.1080/17445302.2019.1664128]. It is concluded that corrosion does not affect the chemical and mechanical properties of structural steels. Details of the test database were documented. © 2020 Institution of Structural Engineers