Corrosion resistance of AISI 1018 carbon steel in NaCl solution by plasma-chemical formation of a barrier layer

The oxidizing OH and NO radicals generated by a gliding electric discharge in humid air induce passive film formation at the surface of AISI 1018 steel discs, as showed by changes in corrosion electric parameters (Ecor, Jcor) in aqueous (0.5 M) NaCl solution with the exposure time to the plasma. The protecting treatment and wettability are largely improved by rotating the sample during exposure. X-rays analysis evidences the apparition of α-Fe phase at the surface and Mössbauer spectra enlights a slight contribution of lepidocrocite FeOOH phase.