Effect of P Addition on the Corrosion Resistance of Steels before and after Rust Formation

This study investigates the effect of P addition on the corrosion resistance of steels before and after rust formation. Electrochemical measurements and surface analysis of P-containing steels (Fe-0.5 mass% P, Fe-1.0 mass% P, and Fe-1.5 mass% P) were conducted to analyze the contribution of P to their initial corrosion resistance before rust formation. The results showed that the initial corrosion resistance of the steel worsened with increasing P content. According to the surface analysis conducted by SEM/EDS, more P segregations at the grain boundaries occurred with higher P content. Polarization measurements indicated that these P segregations became initiation sites for localized corrosion, resulting in a decrease in the initial corrosion resistance. Although the initial corrosion resistance was worse with higher P content, the long-term corrosion resistance showed the inverse trend, improving with increasing P content. Atmospheric exposure tests at Miyakojima and surface analysis of the rust layers showed that P was incorporated into the rust layer, and it promoted the protective ability against corrosion.