Atmospheric Corrosion of Q235 Carbon Steel and Q450 Weathering Steel in Turpan, China

Q235 carbon steel and Q450 weathering steel were exposed to the hot and dry environment of Turpan, China for three years. The corrosion rates of both steels were calculated and compared. The morphologies of the rust layer products were observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Analyses of the rust layers were performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, and analysis results indicate that the compositions of rust are main iron rich oxide such as FeOOH, Fe3O4, and Fe2O3. The iron oxide layer content proportion was calculated through a semi-quantitative algorithm. The resistance elements (Cr, Ni, and Cu) enhanced the resistance properties of the Q450 weathering steel matrix. Moreover, the resistance elements increased the proportion of goethite crystals in the corroded rust layer.