Atmospheric Corrosion Investigation in Industrial, Marine and Rural Environments in South-East Brazil

ASTM 283-C, AISI 304 and 316-L steel specimens (called coupons) were exposed in marine, industrial and rural area(s) for different periods ranging between 1–12 months, in four different season campaigns. The corrosion rate was determined by chemical loss measurements. Rust characterization was performed by XRD, SEM, optical, and Mossbauer spectroscopy (in transmission and backscattering geometry). Superparamagnetic maghemite and goethite were found as corrosion products. Magnetic goethite and feroxyhite decrease with time of exposure. Lepidochrosite is detected and its intensity increase with the atmospheric exposure time. The results obtained from XRD and Mossbauer are in good agreement.