Influence of stress on corrosion behavior and evolution model of Q235 steel in marine environments

The corrosion failure mechanism of Q235 steel under different stresses in simulated marine environment was investigated. The corrosion products of Q235 steel under different stresses are characterized. Additionally, electrochemical experiments and finite element simulations were conducted to examine the corrosion behavior of Q235 steel under various stress conditions. Stress promotes the corrosion failure of Q235 steel and accelerates the generation and transformation of corrosion products. Different stress levels lead to distinct stress corrosion mechanisms, with lower stress levels increasing sensitivity to corrosion. Elevated levels of stress result in stress concentration in dislocation defects, leading to more severe localized corrosion. A model for the evolution of stress corrosion failure has been established, revealing that the corrosion behavior at different stress levels is not strictly independent and can transition from low to high stress conditions under certain circumstances. Furthermore, it was observed that even at low stresses, there can be occurrences of stress concentrations leading to localized corrosion.