Atmospheric corrosion resistance of MnCuP weathering steel in simulated environments

In this work, atmospheric corrosion resistance of low cost MnCuP weathering steel in simulated coastal, industrial, and coastal–industrial atmospheric environments was investigated by wet/dry cyclic acceleration corrosion tests. The results indicate that MnCuP weathering steel exhibits high corrosion resistance in the three atmospheres. Besides, the alloying effect of Mn, Cu, and P elements on the anti-corrosion mechanism of MnCuP weathering steel was discussed by techniques of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, potential–pH diagram, and electron probe microanalysis.

► Atmospheric corrosion resistance of a low cost MnCuP weathering steel was investigated by simulated wet/dry cyclic tests.
► The steel shows high corrosion resistance in simulated coastal, industrial, and coastal–industrial atmospheres.
► Mn and Cu are identified in bivalent and univalent respectively, leading to cation-selectivity of the rust layer.
► Phosphorus promotes the formation of non-soluble phosphates that may act as corrosion inhibitor in rust layer.