COMPARISON OF BIOCORROSION BEHAVIOR OF STAINLESS STEEL 316 L AND MILD STEEL INDUCED BY SLIME PRODUCING BACTERIA

The present study investigated the biocorrosion behaviour of Stainless steel 316L (SS 316L) and mild steel coupons exposed to a medium containing slime producing bacteria, Escherichia coli (E.coli). Corrosion analysis was performed to observe the progression of corrosion process on tested steels induced by E.coli and its metabolite activity for 7 days. The findings revealed that both SS 316L and mild steel experienced severe pitting corrosion. The colonization of E.coli and secretion of exopolymeric substances or slime have accelerated corrosion process on mild steel surface and damaged the passivation layer on SS 316L. As a result, the tested mild steel specimen exhibited 25% higher corrosion rate compared to that of the SS 316