Stress corrosion cracking behavior of high-strength mooring-chain steel in the SO₂-polluted coastal atmosphere

Abstract

21Cr2NiMo steel is widely used to stabilize offshore oil platforms; however, it suffers from stress-corrosion cracking (SCC). Herein, we studied the SCC behavior of 21Cr2NiMo steel in SO₂-polluted coastal atmospheres. Electrochemical tests revealed that the addition of SO₂ increased the corrosion current. Rust characterization showed that SO₂ addition densfied the corrosion products and promoted pitting. Furthermore, slow strain rate tests demonstrated a high susceptibility to SCC in high SO₂ contents. Fracture morphologies revealed that the stress-corrosion cracks initiated at corrosion pits and the crack propagation showed transgranular and intergranular cracking modes. In conclusion, SCC is mix-controlled by anodic dissolution and hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms.

Keywords

corrosion / marine atmospheres / mooring-chain steel / SO₂-polluted coastal atmospheres / stress-corrosion cracking

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