Mechanical properties of CO2 corrosion product scales and their relationship to corrosion rates

In order to evaluate the protective ability of CO2 corrosion scale to steel under flow conditions at various CO2 partial pressures, the mechanical properties of the scale, i.e., Young′s modulus, fracture toughness, interfacial fracture toughness and adhesion strength between the scale and steel were determined by nano-indentation, Vickers’ indentation and tensile test. The influences of flow rate and CO2 partial pressure on these mechanical properties as well as the correlations between the properties and corrosion rates were investigated. The interfacial fracture toughness between the scale and steel can evaluate the protective ability of the scale to steel effectively.