BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON HYDROGEN EFFECTS IN STEEL IN SEAWATER

Conditions conducive to the enhancement of corrosion-fatigue crack gro wth and hydrogen embrittlement can be generated by the activity of sul fate-reducing bacteria. However, while the presence of bacteria encour ages move hydrogen entry into susceptible metals when compared to simi lar levels of sulfide generated abiotically, corrosion-fatigue crack g rowth rates are slower in biological environments than the equivalent abiological environment. These results are discussed in light of recen t findings on the enhancement and inhibition of surface corrosion by b acterial biofilms.