Corrosion product analysis on crevice corroded Alloy-22 specimens

Surface analytical techniques were applied to characterize corrosion products formed during the crevice corrosion of the Ni–Cr–Mo(W) Alloy-22 in 5 mol/L NaCl at 120 °C. Micro-Raman spectroscopy demonstrated the formation of polymeric molybdates within the crevice corroded region where intergranular corrosion dominated. The location and chemical speciation of the Mo and W species formed was investigated by Raman mapping. Crevice corrosion was found to propagate preferentially across the alloy surface rather than to penetrate deeply at localized sites, a feature which appears to be linked to the formation and build-up of polymeric molybdates.

Research highlights
► Crevice corrosion products on Alloy-22 were identified by micro-Raman spectroscopy.
► Polymeric molybdates, formed at low pH conditions, accumulated at damaged regions.
► Polymeric molybdates are proposed to inhibit crevice propagation.