Corrosion Behavior of M50 Steel in Typical Atmospheric Environments

WANG Xiaohui; LIU Zhenbao; JIANG Lipeng; LUO Laizheng; JIANG Dongchen; ZHU shuo; ZHAO Wenyu; HU Jiarui; WANG Changjun; YANG Zhiyong

doi:10.7643/ issn.1672-9242.2026.02.018

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Equipment Environmental Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (2) : 154-164. DOI: 10.7643/ issn.1672-9242.2026.02.018

Environmental Test and Observation

Corrosion Behavior of M50 Steel in Typical Atmospheric Environments

WANG Xiaohui¹, LIU Zhenbao¹, JIANG Lipeng¹, LUO Laizheng², JIANG Dongchen¹, ZHU shuo¹, ZHAO Wenyu¹, HU Jiarui¹, WANG Changjun¹, YANG Zhiyong¹

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Abstract

The work aims to investigate the corrosion behavior and mechanical property evolution of M50 steel in three typical atmospheric environments (Wanning hot-humid marine climate, Jiangjin subtropical acid rain climate, and Xishuangbanna tropical rainforest climate), and to provide a scientific basis for assessing the service reliability of M50 ultra-high-strength steel material and its components in such environments. A two-year outdoor exposure test was conducted. The corrosion behavior of M50 steel in three environments was systematically studied in combination with combining corrosion kinetics analysis, microscopic morphology characterization, and mechanical property testing. M50 steel experienced the most severe corrosion in the Wanning area, with an average annual corrosion rate of 82.05 g/(m²·a) and a pitting corrosion rate of 28.17 μm/a, both higher than those in Jiangjin and Xishuangbanna. Regarding mechanical properties, specimens exposed for two years in both Wanning and Jiangjin environments fractured during the elastic deformation stage. The tensile strength of specimens from Wanning decreased the most significantly, with a property retention rate of only 41.02%. The corrosion of M50 steel primarily initiates at the interface between carbides (MC, M₂C) and the matrix. Acting as cathodic phases, the carbides induce a micro-galvanic effect, accelerating localized corrosion. Chloride ions (Cl^-) in Wanning and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in Jiangjin are the main corrosion accelerators, with Cl^- having a more pronounced effect, which leads to a sharp degradation of material performance in the Wanning environment.

Key words

M50 steel / atmospheric environment / pitting corrosion / mechanical properties / carbides / galvanic corrosion

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WANG Xiaohui, LIU Zhenbao, JIANG Lipeng, LUO Laizheng, JIANG Dongchen, ZHU shuo, ZHAO Wenyu, HU Jiarui, WANG Changjun, YANG Zhiyong. Corrosion Behavior of M50 Steel in Typical Atmospheric Environments[J]. Equipment Environmental Engineering. 2026, 23(2): 154-164 https://doi.org/10.7643/ issn.1672-9242.2026.02.018

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