Pitting corrosion in low carbon steel influenced by remanent magnetization

A new type of experiment is performed using a closed magnetic circuit configuration in order to study the influence of the magnetic field on pitting corrosion in low carbon pipeline steel. The statistical assessment of the pitting corrosion data shows that the magnetic field in the material under test reduces the extreme pit depths and also the average depth of the pit population. It is proposed that reduction in pit depth under the influence of remanent magnetization can be explained based on the behavior of the paramagnetic corrosion products under the influence of the magnetic field gradient produced inside pits.

► Pitting corrosion under the influence of remanent magnetization in pipeline steel.
► Laboratory simulation of real-life pitting corrosion in magnetized pipelines.
► Pit depth is reduced because of the presence of magnetic flux leakage at the pit.
► The action of the magnetic gradient force hinders stable pit growth.
► This force could also affect anodic areas around pits and help surface corrosion.