Corrosion Mechanisms and Cutting-Edge Protection Technologies for Advanced Alloy Materials

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Corrosion and Protection".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 2703

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212003, China
Interests: corrosion; wear; stainless steel; electrochemical; titanium alloys
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Corrosion is a critical factor that affects the service performance of materials, particularly in the fields of aerospace, biomedicine, marine engineering, and energy equipment. The corrosion behavior of advanced materials such as magnesium, titanium, and high-entropy alloys directly impacts the structural safety and service life of components. Although these alloys possess excellent mechanical properties and functional characteristics, their corrosion mechanisms in complex environments (e.g., marine atmosphere, high-temperature/pressure conditions, biological fluids) are associated with numerous challenges. Thus, a thorough understanding of corrosion processes and efficient corrosion protection technologies is vital for enhancing the reliability of materials, extending their service life, reducing operational costs, and preventing catastrophic events caused by corrosion.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate recent findings related to the corrosion behavior and mechanisms of advanced alloy materials (e.g., magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, high-entropy alloys), highlight novel protection strategies (e.g., surface modification, corrosion inhibitors, coating technologies), and provide a platform for the dissemination of recent research findings. We welcome the submission of original papers and critical reviews.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Fundamental corrosion theories;
  • Localized corrosion mechanisms;
  • Multi-scale interfacial reactions;
  • Material–environment interaction;
  • Advanced characterization techniques;
  • Cutting-edge protection technologies;
  • Computational modeling and data-driven research.

Dr. Yanxin Qiao
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • corrosion mechanisms
  • interfacial reactions
  • cutting-edge protection

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4422 KB  
Article
Corrosion Behavior of AISI 904L Austenitic Stainless Steel in High-Temperature and High-Pressure Water Environment
by Kewei Fang, Yan Liu, Kunjie Luo, Jian Shen, Jundong Lu and Erwei Liu
Metals 2026, 16(2), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16020222 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 573
Abstract
AISI 904L stainless steel (904L SS) is a promising material for nuclear power plant primary circuits due to its superior corrosion resistance, but its corrosion behavior under simulated high-temperature and high-pressure water environments with different microstructures remains poorly understood. In order to systematically [...] Read more.
AISI 904L stainless steel (904L SS) is a promising material for nuclear power plant primary circuits due to its superior corrosion resistance, but its corrosion behavior under simulated high-temperature and high-pressure water environments with different microstructures remains poorly understood. In order to systematically investigate and clarify the electrochemical behavior and corrosion behavior under stress of 904L SS with three different microstructures (as-received, sensitized, and solution-treated) in a simulated primary circuit water environment of a nuclear power plant, experiments are conducted using dynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and U-bend immersion methods. The results show that temperature has a significant effect on corrosion resistance. As the temperature increases, the impedance of all microstructures decreases significantly, the passivation zone narrows, and the corrosion current density increases. Under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, the corrosion resistance of the sensitized samples is the worst, while the samples treated with solution have the best overall performance. That is, microstructural optimization through solution treatment can effectively enhance the high-temperature and high-stress corrosion resistance of 904LSS in the primary circuit water environment. Full article
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17 pages, 9234 KB  
Article
Effect of Dissolved Oxygen and Amino Acid Corrosion Inhibitor on Corrosion of Carbon Steel Firewater Pipeline
by Kewei Fang, Yan Liu, Hongqun Liu, Jian Shen, Jiachang Lu, Yuan Li, Jian Cheng, Enze Xu and Yanxin Qiao
Metals 2026, 16(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16010072 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 542
Abstract
This paper investigates the effects of dissolved oxygen and an amino acid corrosion inhibitor on the corrosion of 20# carbon steel in tap water and deionized water. The corrosion behavior was systematically analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization, weight loss measurements, [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the effects of dissolved oxygen and an amino acid corrosion inhibitor on the corrosion of 20# carbon steel in tap water and deionized water. The corrosion behavior was systematically analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization, weight loss measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that deoxygenation is the most effective way to inhibit the carbon steel corrosion in two media, and the increase in dissolved oxygen concentration will make the carbon steel in the tap water corrosion resistance decline, but additional oxygen will enhance its corrosion resistance compared with the natural state without deoxygenation and oxygen addition in deionized water. Moreover, the effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitor in inhibiting carbon steel corrosion in tap water is significantly lower than that in deionized water. These results offer valuable insights for the operation of carbon steel firewater pipelines in media containing dissolved oxygen and serve as a practical guide to enhancing their service life. Full article
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13 pages, 2417 KB  
Article
Electrochemical Study of the Influence of H2S on Atmospheric Corrosion of Zinc in Sargassum-Affected Tropical Environments
by Mahado Said Ahmed and Mounim Lebrini
Metals 2026, 16(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16010031 - 27 Dec 2025
Viewed by 470
Abstract
This study investigates the atmospheric corrosion behavior of zinc in tropical marine environments affected by hydrogen sulfide (H2S), particularly from the decomposition of stranded Sargassum algae. Four exposure sites in Martinique with varying levels of H2S and marine chlorides [...] Read more.
This study investigates the atmospheric corrosion behavior of zinc in tropical marine environments affected by hydrogen sulfide (H2S), particularly from the decomposition of stranded Sargassum algae. Four exposure sites in Martinique with varying levels of H2S and marine chlorides were selected. Gravimetric analysis showed that zinc thickness loss reached up to 45 µm after one year at the most impacted site (Frégate Est), compared to only 3–10 µm at less contaminated locations. This degradation level classifies the site as “extremely corrosive” according to ISO 9223. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear polarization measurements revealed distinct corrosion behaviors. After 12 months of exposure, the polarization resistance and corrosion current density reached Rp = 916 Ω·cm2 and Icorr = 28 µA·cm2 at the Frégate Est site and Rp = 1835 Ω·cm2 and Icorr = 6 µA·cm2 at the Vauclin site. In H2S-poor environments (Diamant, Vert-Pré, Vauclin), corrosion resistance increased over time due to the formation of protective layers such as hydrozincite and simonkolleite. In contrast, H2S-rich environments favored the formation of sulfur-based compounds like elemental sulfur and zinc sulfide (ZnS), which exhibit poor protective properties and result in lower polarization resistance and higher corrosion current densities. Polarization curves confirmed a general decrease in anodic and cathodic currents over time, with less significant improvements in passivation at H2S-impacted sites. The corrosion mechanism is influenced by both pollutant type and exposure duration. Overall, this study highlights the synergistic effect of H2S and chlorides on accelerating zinc corrosion and underscores the need for adapted protection strategies in tropical coastal zones affected by Sargassum proliferation. Full article
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19 pages, 3660 KB  
Article
Corrosion and Anodic Oxidation of Alloy 690 in Simulated Primary Coolant of a Small Modular Reactor Studied by In Situ Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
by Martin Bojinov, Iva Betova and Vasil Karastoyanov
Metals 2025, 15(11), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15111242 - 12 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 608
Abstract
The effect of KOH concentration as a boron-free coolant for prospective use in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) on the corrosion of Alloy 690 is studied by in situ impedance spectroscopy at 280 °C/9 MPa during 168 h exposure in a flow-through cell connected [...] Read more.
The effect of KOH concentration as a boron-free coolant for prospective use in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) on the corrosion of Alloy 690 is studied by in situ impedance spectroscopy at 280 °C/9 MPa during 168 h exposure in a flow-through cell connected to a high-temperature/high-pressure loop. To follow further oxidation of the passive film, the samples were subsequently polarized up to potentials 0.5 V more positive than the corrosion potential. The formed oxides were analyzed ex situ by measuring the atomic concentration of the constituent elements via glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) depth profiling. The Mixed-Conduction Model for Oxide Films (MCM) was employed to quantitatively interpret the impedance results. The estimated parameters are used to quantify the influence of KOH concentration and anodic polarization on oxide formation and soluble product release rates. Results are compared to those obtained in the nominal primary chemistry of pressurized water reactors and indicate that Alloy 690 can also be successfully used as a steam generator tube material in SMRs. Full article
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