A REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF SULPHATE REDUCING BACTERIA IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT ON CORROSION FATIGUE AND HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF HIGH STRENGTH STEELS

摘要

This paper considers the effects of marine exposure and cathodic protection on the corrosion fatigue and hydrogen embrittlement of high strength offshore steels. It examines the extent to which sulphate reducing bacteria in the marine environment promote the uptake of hydrogen by cathodically protected steel. The effects of this absorbed hydrogen on embrittlement of the steel under static loading and the enhancement of crack growth rates in corrosion fatigue are described. The threshold conditions for corrosion fatigue are discussed and a method is proposed for selecting safe levels of cathodic protection for high strength steels in a range of environments.