Effect of the Physicochemical Properties of Soils on Generalized and Localized Corrosion Rate of API X52 and X60 Pipeline Steels

This work analyzed physicochemical properties of different types of soils on the generalized and localized corrosion rate in two steels (X52 and X60) most used in pipeline transportation of hydrocarbons. The physicochemical properties such moisture content, pH, resistivity and redox potential, which influence the corrosion rate of the pipelines were analyzed. Soils from three different sites in the south of México were obtained. Soils were sampled approximately 1.5 m deep, close to pipeline. From the analysis of generalized corrosion results taking into account the type of soil, it was observed that the most corrosive soil for the two steels was soil-3, generating corrosion rates of 0.119 and 0.097 mm/year, for the X52 and X60 steels respectively, after a period of 6 months. It is important to note that the maximum generalized corrosion rate was obtained after 1 month of exposure of the steels, generating corrosion rates of 0.177 and 0.162 mm/year, for the X52 and X60 steels respectively. In similar way, the localized corrosion rates for the both steels were higher when steels are exposed to Soil-3, generating corrosion rates of 1.1 and 0.45 mm/year, for X52 and X60 steel respectively, after a period of 6 months. In general it was observed that X60 steel presents greater resistance to pitting corrosion rate (in Soil-3), which can be attributed to its more homogeneous microstructure, fine grain size, and its chemical composition that presents elements such as Cr and Ni in greater quantity than X52 steel, which improve the corrosion resistance. However, depending on the type of soil the corrosion resistance behavior of each steel is different. From the analysis of various equations fits, it was determined that the potential equation is the one that gives the best fit for all cases.