Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Evaluation of corrosion resistance of coatings applied to Process equipment used in yellowcake production plant

Document Type : Scientific Note

Authors

N. Royaee 1
M. Aghazade 2
M. Tavassoli 2
M. Afkhami Ardakani 3
H. Forati Rad 2

1 Leading Materials Organization, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.BOX: 14395-836, Tehran-Iran

2 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, AEOI, P.O.Box: 14395-836, Tehran-Iran

3 Emka Company, Shahid Rezaejad's Complex of Ardakan, P.O.Box: , Ardakan – Iran

https://doi.org/10.24200/nst.2022.1108.1735
Abstract
Austenitic stainless steels can withstand acidic environments relatively well. The sulfuric acid used in the process lines and the relatively high temperatures of the liquid (60oC) can cause general corrosion and pitting of the tank, which may eventually cause sudden failure. In order to reduce corrosion rates and prevent tank thickness from decreasing, it is imperative that appropriate coating systems be employed, since materials and the construction of new tanks are extremely expensive. In this study, stainless steel samples were coated with ceramic polymer-reinforced polymer coatings, graphite primers, glass liners, fluoroethylene chlorinated ethylene chloride, and fiber-reinforced vinyl esters. In order to evaluate and analyze the applied coatings, test methods such as holiday detection, hardness, adhesion strength, salt spraying, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used. As a result of excellent adhesion to substrates regardless of sulfuric acid or chlorine exposure, glass linings are not just anticorrosive but also highly durable.

Highlights

  1. E.C. Hoxie, Some Corrosion Considerations in the Selection of Stainless Steels for Pressure Vessels and Piping, Int. Nickel Co., Inc., One New York Plaza, New York, N. Y. 10004. 1975, 44 (1975).

 

  1. P. Fauvet, et al, Corrosion mechanisms of austenitic stainless steels in nitric media used in reprocessing plants, J. Nucl. Mater., 375, 52-64 (2008).

 

  1. M. Fajobi, R.T. Loto, Adsorption and Inhibition Performance of Arachis hypogaea Extracts on 316L Steel in H2SO4 Solution, in: Mater. Sci. Forum, Trans Tech Publ, 41–45 (2022).

 

  1. P. Gong, Y. Li, G. Zhang, Enhancing anti-corrosion property of novolac vinyl ester coatings on mild steel through introduction of fluoric acrylic monomer and β-Si3N4 nanoparticles, Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem. Eng. Asp., 635, 128075 (2022).

 

  1. R.T. Loto, Assessment of the corrosion susceptibility of 434 ferritic stainless steel in chloride-sulphate solution, In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1186(1), 012005, IOP Publishing, September (2021).

 

  1. D.G. Li, D.R. Chen, P. Liang, Influence of oxygen content on the corrosion behaviour of 316 L stainless steel in the simulated cathodic environment of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 873, 159695 (2021).

 

  1. E.C. Hoxie, Some Corrosion Considerations in the Selection of Stainless Steel for Pressure Vessels and Piping, Press. Vessel. Pip. Decad. Prog., 3 (1976).

 

  1. H. Asadi, Development and Electrochemical characterization of multifunctional polymeric coatings for corrosion mitigation in metallic biomedical implants, (n.d.).

 

  1. D.S. Nakonieczny, et al, Alkali-Treated Alumina and Zirconia Powders Decorated with Hydroxyapatite for Prospective Biomedical Applications, Materials (Basel)., 15, 1390 (2022).

 

  1. M. Nodehi, Epoxy, polyester and vinyl ester based polymer concrete: a review, Innov. Infrastruct. Solut., 7, 1–24 (2022).

 

  1. S. Barbhuiya, M.I. Choudhury, Nanoscale characterization of glass flake filled vinyl ester anti-corrosion coatings, Coatings., 7, 116 (2017).

 

  1. A. Ghadami, M. Ehsani, H.A. Khonakdar, Vinyl ester/glass flake nanocomposites: an overview of chemical and physical properties, J. Compos. Mater., 48, 1585–1593 (2014).

 

  1. ASTM A240, ASTM A 240/A 240M – 04. Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications, ASTM Int. I, 12 (2004), http://www.ussa.su/gosts2/ASTM_A240. PDF.

 

  1. ISO 8501-4, Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products — Visual assessment of surface cleanliness — Part 4: Initial surface conditions, preparation grades and flash rust grades in connection with water jetting, Int. Organ. Stand. (2022).

 

  1. ASTM G62-14, Standard Test Methods for Holiday Detection in Pipeline Coatings, Astm Int. (2014).

 

  1. ASTM B117-19, Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus, Astm Int. (2017).

 

  1. A. G1-90, Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens, Astm Int. (1999).

 

  1. ASTM D2240-15, Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness, Astm Int. (2015).

 

  1. ASTM D4541-17, ASTM D4541-17/ Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers, Astm Int. (2017).

Keywords

Stainless steel
Sulfuric acid
Coating
Corrosion
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  1. E.C. Hoxie, Some Corrosion Considerations in the Selection of Stainless Steels for Pressure Vessels and Piping, Int. Nickel Co., Inc., One New York Plaza, New York, N. Y. 10004. 1975, 44 (1975).

 

  1. P. Fauvet, et al, Corrosion mechanisms of austenitic stainless steels in nitric media used in reprocessing plants, J. Nucl. Mater., 375, 52-64 (2008).

 

  1. M. Fajobi, R.T. Loto, Adsorption and Inhibition Performance of Arachis hypogaea Extracts on 316L Steel in H2SO4 Solution, in: Mater. Sci. Forum, Trans Tech Publ, 41–45 (2022).

 

  1. P. Gong, Y. Li, G. Zhang, Enhancing anti-corrosion property of novolac vinyl ester coatings on mild steel through introduction of fluoric acrylic monomer and β-Si3N4 nanoparticles, Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem. Eng. Asp., 635, 128075 (2022).

 

  1. R.T. Loto, Assessment of the corrosion susceptibility of 434 ferritic stainless steel in chloride-sulphate solution, In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1186(1), 012005, IOP Publishing, September (2021).

 

  1. D.G. Li, D.R. Chen, P. Liang, Influence of oxygen content on the corrosion behaviour of 316 L stainless steel in the simulated cathodic environment of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 873, 159695 (2021).

 

  1. E.C. Hoxie, Some Corrosion Considerations in the Selection of Stainless Steel for Pressure Vessels and Piping, Press. Vessel. Pip. Decad. Prog., 3 (1976).

 

  1. H. Asadi, Development and Electrochemical characterization of multifunctional polymeric coatings for corrosion mitigation in metallic biomedical implants, (n.d.).

 

  1. D.S. Nakonieczny, et al, Alkali-Treated Alumina and Zirconia Powders Decorated with Hydroxyapatite for Prospective Biomedical Applications, Materials (Basel)., 15, 1390 (2022).

 

  1. M. Nodehi, Epoxy, polyester and vinyl ester based polymer concrete: a review, Innov. Infrastruct. Solut., 7, 1–24 (2022).

 

  1. S. Barbhuiya, M.I. Choudhury, Nanoscale characterization of glass flake filled vinyl ester anti-corrosion coatings, Coatings., 7, 116 (2017).

 

  1. A. Ghadami, M. Ehsani, H.A. Khonakdar, Vinyl ester/glass flake nanocomposites: an overview of chemical and physical properties, J. Compos. Mater., 48, 1585–1593 (2014).

 

  1. ASTM A240, ASTM A 240/A 240M – 04. Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications, ASTM Int. I, 12 (2004), http://www.ussa.su/gosts2/ASTM_A240. PDF.

 

  1. ISO 8501-4, Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products — Visual assessment of surface cleanliness — Part 4: Initial surface conditions, preparation grades and flash rust grades in connection with water jetting, Int. Organ. Stand. (2022).

 

  1. ASTM G62-14, Standard Test Methods for Holiday Detection in Pipeline Coatings, Astm Int. (2014).

 

  1. ASTM B117-19, Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus, Astm Int. (2017).

 

  1. A. G1-90, Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens, Astm Int. (1999).

 

  1. ASTM D2240-15, Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness, Astm Int. (2015).

 

  1. ASTM D4541-17, ASTM D4541-17/ Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers, Astm Int. (2017).

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