Broken passive film and subsequent pitting corrosion behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel induced by marine fungus Aspergillus terreus in artificial seawater

Studies of fungal corrosion for duplex stainless steels (DSS) in marine environments are poor. In this work, effects of fungus Aspergillus terreus on the structure of passive film and the subsequent corrosion behavior of 2205 DSS in artificial seawater were deeply investigated. Results indicated that A. terreus promoted local deterioration of 2205 DSS passive film by changing its structure and components compared to the abiotic control, and then significantly accelerated the corrosion of 2205 DSS especially pitting corrosion. The nucleation and growth of metastable pitting corrosion were accelerated by A. terreus. Furthermore, A. terreus could preferentially corrode the austenitic phase.

Automated summary

The effects of Aspergillus terreus fungus on the passive film structure and corrosion behavior of 2205 DSS in artificial seawater were investigated. The results showed that A. terreus promoted local deterioration of the passive film and significantly accelerated the corrosion of 2205 DSS, especially pitting corrosion. The fungus accelerated the nucleation and growth of metastable pitting corrosion, and preferentially corroded the austenitic phase.