Iron alloys outdoor corrosion and laboratory simulation -comparison

Simulation of iron alloy corrosion is widespread used to predict corrosion resistance. The simulation using corrosion chambers or climatic chambers provides reasonable information on corrosion resistance, the corrosion rate however must be compared to real exposition as the corrosion in simulated environment is accelerated compared to real situation. However the composition of corrosion products and its structure is different question. The corrosion products composition is dependent on corrosion process. The phases present are most likely the same, most voluminous hydrated oxides and oxy-hydroxides on the outside where the less voluminous oxides are present in the lower layers. However this macroscopic phase structure may not fully describe the layered structure of corrosion products, thickness of corrosion products or mechanical properties. In the vicinity of crack in corrosion products the structure is more likely to be similar to the structure near the surface.