EVALUATION OF STEEL CORROSION PRODUCTS IN TROPICAL CLIMATES

Phase variations occurring in corrosion products obtained in steels ex posed to different zones of tropical climate in Cuba and Venezuela wer e determined to establish their relationship to corrosion phenomena. S teel corrosion products were obtained at four test stations in both co untries with marine, industrial, and rural characteristics. Phase comp osition was determined using x-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) sp ectroscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. In the rural climate of both c ountries, the predominant phase was lepidocrocite (gamma-FeOOH), which was in agreement with reported corrosion rates. In the marine environ ments, corrosion products varied in composition. In Adicora, Venezuela , akaganeite (beta-FeOOH) was found, but in Cuba, this phase was nonex istent. Results were discussed in light of the contamination present a nd meteorological parameters recorded in the test zones.