The Corrosion of Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel in Simulated Geothermal Media

Abstract

The corrosion rates of low-carbon steel, and 304, 316 and 410/420 stainless steels in simulated geothermal media containing hydrogen sulfide have been measured by means of the polarization resistance technique. Good agreement was found between weight-loss and polarization resistance measurements of the corrosion rate for all the metals tested.

Carbon steel formed a non-adherent film of mackinawite (Fe_{1 + x}S). The lack of protection afforded to the steel by the film resulted in an approximately constant corrosion rate. The stainless steels also exhibited corrosion rates that were independent of time. However, the 410 and 420 alloys formed an adherent film consisting mainly of troilite ( FeS ) which provided only limited passivity. In contrast, the 304 and 316 alloys appeared to be essentially protected by a passive film which did not seem to involve an iron sulfide phase. However, all the stainless steels, particularly the 410 and 420 alloys, showed pitting, which indicated that some breakdown of the passive films occurred.