Modeling oxygen-controlled corrosion of steels in hot waters

A model has been developed for oxygen transport-controlled corrosion of ste els in hot waters. The dependence of the corrosion behavior upon temperatur e (T) takes into account the quantitative changes in oxygen solubility with T and the partial pressure of oxygen, together with the effects of Ton oxy gen diffusion. The T-dependent behavior of the viscosity of water was used to evaluate changes in the oxygen diffusion coefficient and the effect of T on the activation energy of diffusion. The model is used to predict the re lative corrosion behavior in open and closed systems, and systems at consta nt pressure. Predictions were compared with observed behaviors reported in the literature, together with a discussion of their similarities and differ ences.