The initiation and evolution of the localized corrosion in carbon steel were investigated in a simulated marine environment of Xisha Island in the South China Sea. In the initial stage, localized corrosion occurred in the form of corrosion spot. The localized corrosion morphology and electrochemical information during corrosion process were tracked by field emission scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectrometry (FE-SEM-EDS), scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM). Localized corrosion was induced by the microcrevices around Al₂O₃ inclusions. The occluded cells and oxygen concentration cell formed in the pits could accelerate the localized corrosion. Pearlite accelerated the dissolution of the inside and surrounding ferrite via the galvanic effect between Fe₃C and ferrite. Overall, the localized corrosion was initiated and evaluated under a synergistic effect of crevice corrosion, occluded cells, oxygen concentration cell and the galvanic couple between FeC₃ and ferrite.
Keywords: carbon steel; inclusion; localized corrosion; pearlite.