The Effect of Alloying Elements in Iron on Hydrogen Over-voltage and Corrosion Rate in Acid Environments

Abstract

Alloying elements commonly found in steel were added to pure iron to establish their effect on hydrogen overvoltage and corrosion rate in 0.1M citric acid (pH 2.06), 0.1M malic acid (pH 2.24), and 4% sodium chloride at pH 1 and 2. Sulfur, phosphorus, and carbon proved detrimental to corrosion resistance. Copper and manganese were effective in decreasing the detrimental influence of sulfur. Hydrogen overvoltage data are used to explain the particular influences found for various addition elements.