Thermogalvanic corrosion of Alloy 31 in different heavy brine LiBr solutions

Thermogalvanic corrosion generated between two electrodes of Alloy 31, a highly-alloyed austenitic stainless steel (UNS N08031), has been investigated imposing different temperature gradients in three deaerated LiBr solutions, under open circuit conditions by using a zero-resistance ammeter (ZRA). Besides EIS spectra were acquired in order to explain the obtained results. On the whole, cold Alloy 31 electrodes were anodic to hot Alloy 31 electrodes, since an increase in temperature favoured the cathodic behaviour of the hot electrode. Thermogalvanic corrosion of Alloy 31 in the LiBr solutions studied was not severe, although it negatively affects the corrosion resistance of the cold anode. The protective properties of the passive film formed on the anode surface were found to improve with thermogalvanic coupling time.

► Thermogalvanic corrosion negatively affects the corrosion resistance of the cold anode.
► The positive values of this Seebeck coefficient are indicative of cold anodes.
► Seebeck coefficient was not dependant on LiBr concentration.
► EIS diagrams revealed very high impedance values and highly capacitive behaviour.