Electrochemical Methods for the Evaluation of the Degradation of Structural Steels Intended for Long-Term Operation

摘要

The long-term operation of structural steels leads to changes in their state, which affects not only the mechanical or corrosion-mechanical properties of the metal but also its electrochemical characteristics. We study carbon, low-alloy, and stainless steels after their operation from 30 to more than 100 yr. On the one hand, we analyze some regularities of degradation of steels with regard for the conditions of mechanical loading and the action of corrosive media and, on the other hand, we study the electrochemical response to the changes in the state of steels. The obtained results are aimed at the diagnostics of degradation of the mechanical properties of steels with the use of the electrochemical approaches.