Macroscopic Structure of the Rust Layer formed in the Atmospheric Corrosion of Steel

Abstract

The paper deals with the structure of the rust layer formed on steel under various conditions of atmospheric corrosion. The various stages of the corrosion process proceed at different rates depending on the total effect of a variety of climatic factors. These factors also affect the nature of the corrosion products in the various layers. At certain subcritical rates of corrosion the amount of rust in the layer next to and bonded to the metal remains approximately constant. But if this critical velocity is exceeded a cyclical disturbance with restructuring of the layer will take place. The final structure of the rust layer depends on the strength of the mechanical bonds between the various layers, these bonds differing according to the conditions under which the rust layers are formed.