A thermodynamic and kinetic study of the formation and evolution of corrosion product scales on 13Cr stainless steel in a geothermal environment

The formation and evolution of corrosion product scales on 13Cr stainless steel at 200 °C and various CO2 partial pressures were investigated. Scanning electron microscope was used to show the physical nature of the scales formed at 0.27 MPa CO2. The thin non-uniform layer was identified as FeCr2O4 by Raman Spectroscopy with a thick Cr(OH)3 layer being determined at 2.85 MPa CO2. These results provide a guide to understanding the mechanisms of CO2 corrosion for 13Cr stainless steel exposed to high temperature and pressure and demonstrate the influence of thermodynamics and kinetics on the formation and evolution of the corrosion products.