Corrosion behaviour of mild steel in diverse environments: a comparative study of hot-rolled and cold-rolled specimens
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Materials undergo degradation and structural failure due to corrosion, leading to substantial economic losses in industrial applications. This study investigates the corrosion behavior and mechanical degradation of hot-rolled and cold-rolled mild steel in six different environments (air, tap water, seawater, NaCl, HCl, and H₂SO₄) over a period of 30 days. The analysis included weight loss, corrosion rate, thickness reduction, and mechanical strength evaluations at multiple intervals. Results revealed that cold-rolled specimens suffered up to a 55% loss in elongation and a 40% decline in tensile strength, particularly in acidic conditions. The superior performance of hot-rolled steel highlights the influence of manufacturing methods on corrosion resistance. Among all tested environments, sulfuric acid proved to be the most aggressive, with cold-rolled steel specimens exhibiting 10.212 mm and 5.649 mm of corrosion compared to 9.488 mm and 5.577 mm for hot-rolled steel specimens during the 30-day exposure period. Sulfuric acid exposure caused a maximum thickness reduction of 38.12%, along with a 40% loss in tensile strength and a 55% reduction in elongation at break for cold-rolled steel. Under the same exposure conditions, the compressive strength of hot-rolled specimens decreased by 25%. This comparative study offers valuable insights for designing durable steel structures and developing advanced corrosion mitigation strategies.
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414487651