Effect of the direct current electric field on the initial corrosion of steel in simulated industrial atmospheric environment

The effects of the direct current (DC) electric field on the initial corrosion of steel in simulated solution were investigated using measurements of weight loss and polarization curves, XRD and SEM techniques. The major constituents of the corrosion products are α- and γ-FeOOH in SO42− solution. It was found that the corrosion rate of steel increased with the increase of DC electric field intensity. And the DC electric field suppresses the growth of α-FeOOH and the transformation of γ-FeOOH to α-FeOOH. All these lead to the reduction of the protective ability of rust layer and accelerate further corrosion of steel.