Chloride-induced corrosion resistance of high-strength stainless steels in simulated alkaline and carbonated concrete pore solutions

This paper presents the results of a study examining the Cl− induced corrosion resistance of austenitic, duplex, and martensitic high-strength stainless steels (HSSSs) and a pearlitic prestressing steel using cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP) techniques in simulated alkaline and carbonated concrete solutions. CPP testing found that in alkaline solutions, all HSSSs showed high corrosion resistance at Cl− concentrations from zero to 0.25 M. When exposed to carbonated solutions, corrosion resistance was reduced and only duplex grades S32205 and S32304 exhibited high corrosion resistance. A strong correlation between microstructural defects (e.g., strain-induced martensite) and corrosion damage was observed in the cold-drawn HSSSs.

► High-strength austenitic, martensitic, and duplex stainless steels.
► Corrosion resistance in solutions simulating chloride-contaminated concrete.
► Cold drawing to increase strength degrades corrosion resistance.
► High-strength duplex stainless steels exhibit highest corrosion resistance.