Influence of Ce on the corrosion resistance of high-strength low-alloy steel in simulated marine environments

Steel with enhanced corrosion resistance in both simulated deep sea and shallow sea environments was developed by adding cerium (Ce) to high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel. Through conventional characterization techniques, the electrochemical performance, rust layer composition, and protective properties of the steel were analyzed. The study found that the steel exhibited superior corrosion resistance when the Ce content was 0.2 wt %. This improvement is largely attributed to Ce's role in promoting the formation of alpha-FeOOH, which results in a dense and protective rust layer. Additionally, Ce consumes oxygen and inhibit the cathodic depolarization reaction. Furthermore, due to the low oxygen solubility in the simulated deep sea environment, the cathode reaction is further inhibited, leading to a lower corrosion degree in the deep sea environment compared to the shallow sea environment.