Improving the Corrosion Resistance of API X56 and API X70 Pipeline Steels by Hot Dip Aluminization

Abstract

The external surface of the pipeline steels can be protected from corrosion by cathodic protection and a suitable coating system. But to protect the internal surface of steel pipelines from corrosion is always a challenge. In the current study, a protective aluminum coating was applied on the internal surface of steel pipeline grades API X56 and API X70 by hot dip aluminization process to minimize the cost of inhibitors. The steel substrates were dipped in the hot aluminum bath, whose temperature was maintained at 720 °C, for three different dipping times (5, 7.5 and 10 minutes) and then permitted to cool to room temperature. The coated specimens were characterized in terms of their structure and composition by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM micrographs analysis reveal that the hot dip aluminized specimens gave an unwavering and well adherent interface which is essential for corrosion resistance of the substrates. The corrosion behavior was evaluated by weight loss method in case of sweet corrosion (in 1.0 % NaCl + CO₂ environment) and, by electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization tests for marine corrosion (in 3.5% NaCl environment). The sweet corrosion rates showed severe material loss (14.17 mpy for API X56 and 6.6 mpy in case of API X70) of uncoated samples as compared to the aluminized samples which showed no corrosion at all even after one week due to the passive layer of Al₂O₃. Whereas the marine corrosion of aluminized specimens was also reduced to 0.11 mpy (coated specimens) from 0.57 mpy (uncoated specimens).