Mechanism of Carbon Steel Corrosion in Accelerated Corrosion Tests

ABSTRACT Understanding the effect of parameters of cyclic accelerated corrosion tests on the corrosion response is crucial for proper test design. The real‐time corrosion rate of carbon steel was measured using electrical resistance sensors in seven tests and was statistically evaluated. A synergistic effect of the chloride concentration and duration of transition phases was explained based on the surface electrolyte distribution. In contrast to the field, the steel corrosion rate increased between particular chloride deposition phases due to the formation of porous red rust with low protection ability. This implies that the corrosivity of future corrosion tests needs to be reduced.