This study investigated the corrosion behavior of AISI 316L produced by direct energy deposition (DED). Microstructural and chemical analysis showed a homogeneous distribution of Si and Si–Mn inclusions of 0.5–1 µm and the Cr and Mo enrichment within interdendritic areas. Scanning Kelvin probe analysis of additively manufactured stainless steel highlighted a regular “striped‐like” surface potential feature with a potential gradient of 30 mV for a mean value of 0.320 ± 0.017 V versus standard hydrogen electrode. It can be related to the presence of the residual stress in the oxide film and the complex thermal history due to the fabrication process. A cyclic corrosion test simulating atmospheric conditions revealed the same corrosion properties for stainless steel fabricated by DED compared to cold rolled one. Various surface preparations of 316L were also exposed for corrosion tests. It was found that the “as‐received” and “brushed” surfaces exhibited poorer corrosion resistance due to the presence of an as‐build defective layer. However, prior passivation of brushed surface, machining, or mechanical grinding down to P1200 improve significantly the corrosion resistance.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of rhamnolipids (RLs) extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a possible eco-friendly inhibitor for the corrosion protection of rebars in concrete. Two application methods were tested: application of RLs as a coating on the steel (conditioning method) and addition of the RLs directly to the aggressive environment (addition method). Both methods were evaluated for their ability to protect steel in simulated concrete pore solution containing 0.5 M NaCl. The results highlight a delay in the initiation of local corrosion followed by a rapid propagation rate of corrosion for conditioning method. This evolution is in relation with the heterogeneity of the formed RLs layers. The addition method provides a different film formation and better protection against corrosion. Using a 1 g·L ${}^{-1}$ concentration, the inhibition effect was observed at least for 24 h of immersion.

Hydrogen, due to corrosion processes, can degrade high strength steels (HSS) through embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking mechanisms. Scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) mapping of surface potential was applied, to visualize the locations with an increased subsurface concentration of hydrogen in mild steel and martensitic HSS. This work can help to determine the reasons behind hydrogen localization in a steel microstructure, leading to embrittlement and hydrogen-assisted cracking. Cathodic charging was used to insert hydrogen, which decreased the steel potential. Hydrogen effusion in air passivates steel, increasing the potential of HSS and mild steel. The passivation of steels was monitored depending on different conditions of cathodic pre-charging and the amount of absorbed hydrogen. The SKP could determine the area of diffusible hydrogen and the area of cracks. In addition, low potential locations linked to the hydrogen trapped in the deformed HSS microstructure were also determined, which delayed the steel passivation. Mild steel showed a uniform potential distribution related to interstitial hydrogen, without potential extremes attributed to locally accumulated hydrogen. Thus, SKP sensing can detect locations containing increased concentrations of hydrogen and sensitive to steel cracking.

The effects of cathodic polarisation switch-off on the passivation of AISI 304L stainless steel in air and its crevice corrosion susceptibility in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous electrolyte were investigated. Scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) data showed that the oxide film is significantly destabilised and the rate of steel passivation in air is slowed down. Thermal desorption analysis (TDA) highlighted that hydrogen absorption is proportional to the applied cathodic current density. A special crevice corrosion set-up was designed to realise simultaneous reproducible monitoring of potential and galvanic current to study the impact of prior cathodic polarisation on crevice corrosion onset.

The atmospheric corrosion of high-strength steels can lead to hydrogen absorption directly linked to hydrogen embrittlement or delayed fracture phenomena. A scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) and electrochemical permeation technique (EPT) were applied to correlate the potential of an oxidized surface with the flux of hydrogen across a thin steel membrane. The side of the membrane opposite the corroding or electrochemically charged area was analyzed. The potential drop in the oxide was calibrated in terms of surface hydrogen activity, and SKP can be applied in situ for the mapping of hydrogen distribution in the corroding metal. A very low flux of hydrogen can be characterized and quantified by SKP, which is typically observed under atmospheric corrosion conditions. Therefore, hydrogen localization that drives steel durability under atmospheric corrosion conditions can be evaluated.