Interface Corrosion Mechanism of Q370qENH and Q355C Steels under Dry-Wet Alternating Conditions

CAI Zhenyu; SUN Lijuan; SUN Huyuan; ZHANG Zhansen; QU Shuqiang; HANG Jiezhou; LI Hui; DING Jiangyun; DU Xuzhe

doi:10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.10.014

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Equipment Environmental Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (10) : 123-131. DOI: 10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.10.014

Ships and Marine Engineering Equipment

Interface Corrosion Mechanism of Q370qENH and Q355C Steels under Dry-Wet Alternating Conditions

CAI Zhenyu^1,2, SUN Lijuan¹, SUN Huyuan^1,2,*, ZHANG Zhansen³, QU Shuqiang⁴, HANG Jiezhou⁴, LI Hui^5,6, DING Jiangyun⁶, DU Xuzhe⁶

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Abstract

The work aims to elucidate the corrosion mechanism at the rust layer-steel substrate interface of Q370qENH and Q355C in a wet-dry alternating environment and evaluate the weather resistance of Q370qENH. Methods including weight gain and loss analysis, optical imaging, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and standard electrode potential analysis were employed to investigate the interface corrosion mechanisms of Q370qENH and Q355C in a severe alternating wet-dry environment. Q370qENH exhibited a faster corrosion rate at 30 days in the experimental environment but gradually formed a relatively dense internal rust layer stabilized by a Fe₃O₄ framework and filled with the α-FeOOH phase. The total thickness losses of Q370qENH and Q355C at 60 days were 0.064 mm and 0.079 mm, respectively. Both steels exhibited uniform corrosion. XRD characterization revealed that γ-FeOOH and β-FeOOH were present in the outer and inner rust layers of the two steels, respectively. The corrosion mechanisms at the rust layer-steel substrate interface are similar for both steels in this experimental environment. However, Q370qENH exhibits a denser inner rust layer in the later stages of corrosion. The synergistic effect of Cr, Ni, and Cu endows excellent corrosion resistance to Q370qENH, but the addition of Cr³⁺ leads to the formation of more micropores on the surface of Q370qENH. The presence of the β-FeOOH phase significantly affects the density of the rust layer, and Q370qENH demonstrates good weather resistance throughout the experimental cycle.

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weathering steel / low carbon steel / marine industrial environments / internal rust layer / corrosion resistance

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CAI Zhenyu, SUN Lijuan, SUN Huyuan, ZHANG Zhansen, QU Shuqiang, HANG Jiezhou, LI Hui, DING Jiangyun, DU Xuzhe. Interface Corrosion Mechanism of Q370qENH and Q355C Steels under Dry-Wet Alternating Conditions[J]. Equipment Environmental Engineering. 2026, 23(10): 123-131 https://doi.org/10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.10.014

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