Corrosion evolution and stress corrosion cracking behavior of a low carbon bainite steel in the marine environments: Effect of the marine zones

The effect of electrolyte presence form on the corrosion evolution and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of E690 steel in the simulated marine environment is investigated. The steel exhibits the highest and lowest corrosion rate in splash and immersion environment, respectively, attributed to the differences in oxygen availability, rust layer property, and scour stress. γ-FeOOH dominates the rust formed in atmospheric environment, while Fe 3 O 4 prevails in the splash environment. The steel corroded in splash environment exhibits the high pit number density, high maximum pit depth, and high cathodic reaction activity, resulting in the most severe SCC degradation. • Effect of electrolyte presence form on the corrosion and SCC of E690 steel in marine environment is studied. • Oxygen diffusion, drying period, scour stress, and water holding ability determines the corrosion rate. • γ-FeOOH dominates the rust in atmosphere, while Fe 3 O 4 prevails in splash environment. • Corrosion pits with high number density and depth are formed in splash environment. • E690 steel exhibits the highest SCC sensitivity in the splash environment.