Nanometer-thick passive films, which impart superior corrosion resistance to metals, are degraded in long-term service; they are also susceptible to chloride-induced localized attack. Here we show, by engineering crystallographic configurations upon metal matrices adjacent to their passive films, we obtain great enhancement of corrosion resistance of FeCr15Ni15 single crystal in sulphuric acid, with activation time up to two orders of magnitude longer than that of the non-engineered counterparts. Meanwhile, engineering crystallography decreases the passive current density and shifts the pitting potential to noble values. Applying anodic polarizations under a transpassivation potential, we make the metal matrices underneath the transpassive films highly uneven with {111}-terminated configurations, which is responsible for the enhancement of corrosion resistance. The transpassivation strategy also works in the commercial stainless steels where both grain interior and grain boundaries are rebuilt into the low-energy configurations. Our results demonstrate a technological implication in the pretreatment process of anti-corrosion engineering.
Corrosion is a pervasive issue affecting metallic materials, with significant economic losses and safety risks in various industries. Mild steel, extensively used in construction and infrastructure, faces corrosion challenges, needing continuous research to effectively tackle them. Natural compounds, because of their eco-friendliness and corrosion inhibition potential, are attracting increasing interest for corrosion control. Lawsonia inermis (LI), or henna, a plant native to North Africa and South Asia, has bioactive compounds exhibiting corrosion inhibitive properties. This study comprehensively explores Lawsonia inermis’s effectiveness as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel, filling a gap in the existing research. Various concentrations of Lawsonia inermis extract were tested in acidic solutions to evaluate corrosion inhibition. Experimental results indicate a significant reduction in the corrosion rate with increasing inhibitor concentration. Langmuir adsorption isothermal analyses reveal the adsorption mechanism as being an interplay between physisorption and weak chemisorption. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate Lawsonia inermis’s capability to alter both cathodic and anodic reactions, leading to improved corrosion resistance. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a more even surface morphology in the presence of the Lawsonia inermis, indicating corrosion inhibition. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses identified organic compounds in Lawsonia inermis extract responsible for corrosion inhibition. Overall, Lawsonia inermis emerges as a promising corrosion inhibitor for mild steel, offering excellent inhibition efficiencies. This study sheds light on its adsorption behaviour and provides insights into its mechanism of action. These findings underscore Lawsonia inermis’s potential as a green corrosion inhibitor, paving the way for its practical application in industrial corrosion protection strategies.
24 June 2024 in Journal of Coatings Technology and Research