Corrosion Mechanism of AH36 Hull Steel in Sulfate-reducing Bacteria Environment

doi:10.11902/1005.4537.2025.187

Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection

2026, Vol. 46

Issue (3): 833-844 DOI: 10.11902/1005.4537.2025.187

Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search

Corrosion Mechanism of AH36 Hull Steel in Sulfate-reducing Bacteria Environment

FU Lei¹^,², ZHANG Qian¹, LIN Li³(

), JIAN Ke¹, WANG Yajun⁴, CHENG Fei⁴, PENG Dongmei⁴, LIU Ming¹

^1.Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Yibin 644000, China
^2.Sichuan University, Failure Mechanics and Engineering Disaster Prevention Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610065, China
^3.Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
^4.Sichuan Yuhuan Meteorological Electronic Engineering Technology Co. Ltd., Chengdu 610044, China

Cite this article:

FU Lei, ZHANG Qian, LIN Li, JIAN Ke, WANG Yajun, CHENG Fei, PENG Dongmei, LIU Ming. Corrosion Mechanism of AH36 Hull Steel in Sulfate-reducing Bacteria Environment. Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection, 2026, 46(3): 833-844.

Download:

HTML

PDF(18981KB)
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)

Abstract

Marine environments are rich in carbon-source, nitrogen-source, and vitamins, which promote microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on ship hull steel surfaces, thereby accelerating microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Herein, the corrosion behavior of AH36 high-strength hull steel induced by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), a typical marine bacterium, was systematically investigated by means of mass loss measurements, microscopic morphology analysis, and electrochemical testing. The results show that after 30 d of exposure, the corrosion rate in the SRB-inoculated solution was approximately five times higher than that in the sterile control ones, with FeS deposits observed on the steel surface and evident localized corrosion pits. Electrochemical tests revealed significantly lower low-frequency impedance and polarization resistance values in the SRB containing solution, and a corrosion current density of 5.01 × 10^-5 A·cm^-2, which is about ten times that of the sterile solution. These findings indicate that SRB accelerate the anodic dissolution of the steel by catalyzing sulfate reduction through bio-cathodic activity and promoting the formation of concentration cells under biofilms, thus playing a critical role in the corrosion process in marine environments.

Key words: AH36 hull steel sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) biofilm corrosion mass loss electrochemical testing

Received: 18 June 2025 32134.14.1005.4537.2025.187

ZTFLH:

TB304

Fund: Open Project Fund of Sichuan Key Laboratory of Disaster Mechanics and Engineering Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (Sichuan University)(FMEDP202109);Fund of Regional Innovation Cooperation Project of Sichuan Province(2024YFHZ0073);Zigong City-Sichuan University School-Local Cooperation Special Fund Project(2024CDZG-1);Fund of Research Innovation Team Program of Sichuan University of Science and Chemical Technology(SUSE652A015)

Corresponding Authors: LIN Li, E-mail: linli1031@126.com

	Service

	E-mail this article
	Add to citation manager
	E-mail Alert
	RSS
	（）
	Articles by authors
	FU Lei
	ZHANG Qian
	LIN Li
	JIAN Ke
	WANG Yajun
	CHENG Fei
	PENG Dongmei
	LIU Ming

URL:

https://www.jcscp.org/EN/10.11902/1005.4537.2025.187 OR https://www.jcscp.org/EN/Y2026/V46/I3/833

Fig.1 Temporal changes in medium appearance and SRB cell morphology during culture: (a) initial inoculation, (b) cultured for 1 d, (c) cultured for 4 d, (d) morphology of SRB after centrifugation

Fig.2 Growth and metabolic profiles of SRB over 15 d: (a) SRB cell count, (b) sulfate concentration in the solution, (c) pH variation of the solution

Fig.3 Corrosion rate of AH36 hull steel in sterile and SRB solutions

Table 1 NACE SP 0775-2018 SG corrosion rate evaluation requirements^[18]

Fig.4 Surface morphologies of corrosion products on the AH36 hull steel after 10 and 30 d of exposure in sterile (a, c) and SRB (b, d) solution

Fig.5 EDS analysis of corrosion products on the substrate surface of AH36 hull steel in sterile (a, b) and SRB (c, d) solution

Table 2 Selected area analysis results of main elements in surface corrosion products of AH36 steel　　　(mass fraction / %)

Fig.6 XRD patterns of corrosion products formed on the AH36 hull steel in sterile (a) and SRB (b) solution

Reaction type	Reaction process
Anode reaction	$F e → F e 2 + + 2 e -$
Ionization of water	$H 2 O → H + + O H -$
Cathode reaction	$H + + e - → H$
Cathodic depolarization reaction	$S O 4 2 - + 8 H → S 2 - + 4 H 2 O$
	$F e 2 + + 2 O H - → F e O H 2$
Corrosion product generation reaction	$8 F e O H 2 + 2 H 2 O + O 2 → 4 F e O H 3 + F e 2 O 3 ⋅ n H 2 O$
	$F e 2 + + S 2 - → F e S$
	$F e S + S 2 - → F e S 2 + 2 e -$

Table 3 Reaction formula of AH36 hull steel corrosion in SRB solution

Fig.7 Surface morphologies of the AH36 steel substrate after 5 (a, d), 10 (b, e), 15 d (c, f) corrosion time under sterile solution (a-c) and SRB solution (d-f)

Fig.8 Variation of open circuit potential (OCP) of AH36 hull steel in sterile and SRB solution

Fig.9 Nyquist (a, d) and Bode plots (b, c, e, f) of AH36 hull steel in sterile (a-c) and SRB (d-f) solution

Fig.10 Electrochemical equivalent circuit model

Table 4 Fitting parameters of equivalent circuit components of the two systems

Fig.11 Polarization resistance of AH36 hull steel in sterile and SRB solutions

Fig.12 Polarization curves of AH36 hull steel after 15 d of corrosion in sterile solution and SRB solution

Table 5 Polarization curve fitting results of AH36 hull steel

Fig.13 Schematic diagram of the corrosion process of AH36 hull steel in SRB environment

[1]	Bian M H, Peng J N, He Y Y, et al. A rapid evaluation method for corrosion resistance of galvanized steel layer for transmission tower materials [J]. Plat. Finish., 2025, 47(2): 54
	边美华, 彭家宁, 何雨茵等. 输电杆塔材料镀锌钢层耐腐蚀性的快速评价探究 [J]. 电镀与精饰, 2025, 47(2): 54
[2]	Wang C, Ma D Z, Qu Y, et al. Research progress of pipe corrosion situation and corresponding solutions [J]. Contemp. Chem. Ind., 2015, 44: 2645
	王聪, 马丹竹, 屈洋等. 腐蚀现状与解决理论研究进展 [J]. 当代化工, 2015, 44: 2645
[3]	Huang Y, Hu Q G, Zhang S Y. Research on the marine environmental impact on reef structures maintenance [J]. Def. Technol. Rev., 2018, 39(3): 50
	黄云, 胡其高, 张硕云. 南海海洋环境对岛礁工程结构与设施影响研究 [J]. 国防科技, 2018, 39(3): 50
[4]	Fan Y M. Corrosion behavior and mechanism of Ni-Mo low alloy steels in tropical marine atmosphere [D]. Beijing: University of Science & Technology Beijing, 2021
	范玥铭. Ni-Mo低合金钢热带海洋大气环境腐蚀行为和机理研究 [D]. 北京: 北京科技大学, 2021
[5]	Wang H B, Hu C, Hu X X, et al. Effects of disinfectant and biofilm on the corrosion of cast iron pipes in a reclaimed water distribution system [J]. Water Res., 2012, 46: 1070 doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.12.001 pmid: 22209261
[6]	Vastra M, Salvin P, Roos C. MIC of carbon steel in Amazonian environment: Electrochemical, biological and surface analyses [J]. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad., 2016, 112: 98 doi: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.05.004
[7]	Tian F. Study on corrosion behaviors of carbon steel in the presence of Citrobacter farmeri in artificial seawater [D]. Wuhan: Wuhan University of Technology, 2019
	田丰. 海水环境下柠檬酸杆菌对碳钢Q235的腐蚀行为研究 [D]. 武汉: 武汉理工大学, 2019
[8]	Liu L. Study on the corrosion behavior of sulfate-reducing bacteria in X52 oil pipeline [D]. Chengdu: Southwest Petroleum University, 2016
	刘黎. X52输油管道硫酸盐还原菌腐蚀行为研究 [D]. 成都: 西南石油大学, 2016
[9]	Wang D, Xie F, Wu M, et al. Microbiological corrosion rules of x80 pipeline steel in three simulated soil solutions [J]. Mater. Mech. Eng., 2016, 40(5): 57
	王丹, 谢飞, 吴明等. X80管线钢在三种土壤模拟溶液中的微生物腐蚀规律 [J]. 机械工程材料, 2016, 40(5): 57
[10]	Li F S, An M Z, Liu G Z, et al. Roles of sulfur-containing metabolites by SRB in accelerating corrosion of carbon steel [J]. Chin. J. Inor. Chem., 2009, 25: 13
	李付绍, 安茂忠, 刘光洲等. 硫酸盐还原菌的含硫代谢产物在加速碳钢腐蚀中的作用 [J]. 无机化学学报, 2009, 25: 13
[11]	Xu D K, Gu T Y, Lovley D R. Microbially mediated metal corrosion [J]. Nat. Rev. Microbiol., 2023, 21: 705 doi: 10.1038/s41579-023-00920-3 pmid: 37344552
[12]	Sherar B W A, Power I M, Keech P G, et al. Characterizing the effect of carbon steel exposure in sulfide containing solutions to microbially induced corrosion [J]. Corros. Sci., 2011, 53: 955 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2010.11.027
[13]	Choi Y S, Hassani S, Vu T N, et al. Effect of H₂S on the corrosion behavior of pipeline steels in supercritical and liquid CO₂ environments [J]. Corrosion, 2016, 72: 999 doi: 10.5006/2026
[14]	Heyer A, D'Souza F, Morales C F L, et al. Ship ballast tanks a review from microbial corrosion and electrochemical point of view [J]. Ocean Eng., 2013, 70: 188 doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2013.05.005
[15]	Zhang K, Zhu L X, He Z, et al. Corrosion failure analysis of X52 gas pipeline [J]. Corros. Prot., 2020, 41(4): 73
	张科, 朱丽霞, 何志等. X52输气管道腐蚀失效分析 [J]. 腐蚀与防护, 2020, 41(4): 73
[16]	KUSHKEVYCH I, HÝŽOVÁ B, VÍTĚZOVÁ M, et al. Microscopic methods for identification of sulfate-reducing bacteria from various habitats [J]. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021, 22(8): 4007 doi: 10.3390/ijms22084007
[17]	Rasheed P A, Jabbar K A, Mackey H R, et al. Recent advancements of nanomaterials as coatings and biocides for the inhibition of sulfate reducing bacteria induced corrosion [J]. Curr. Opin. Chem. Eng., 2019, 25: 35 doi: 10.1016/j.coche.2019.06.003
[18]	Pei W X, Zhao G X, Ding L Y, et al. Effect of temperature on corrosion of pipeline steel in SRB/CO₂ environment [J]. Mater. Rep., 2024, 38: 23070058
	裴文霞, 赵国仙, 丁浪勇等. 温度对管线钢在SRB/CO₂环境中的腐蚀影响 [J]. 材料导报, 2024, 38: 23070058
[19]	Pakiet M, Kowalczyk I, Garcia R L, et al. Gemini surfactant as multifunctional corrosion and biocorrosion inhibitors for mild steel [J]. Bioelectrochemistry, 2019, 128: 252 doi: S1567-5394(18)30581-4 pmid: 31048108
[20]	Li Q S, Wang J H, Xing X T, et al. Corrosion behavior of X65 steel in seawater containing sulfate reducing bacteria under aerobic conditions [J]. Bioelectrochemistry, 2018, 122: 40 doi: S1567-5394(17)30592-3 pmid: 29547738
[21]	Nie S K, Xu F L, Liu Z H, et al. Effect of sulfate-reducing bacteria on corrosion behavior of the low-alloy bare steel for hull [J]. Dev. Appl. Mater., 2023, 38(1): 29
	聂淑坤, 许凤玲, 刘钊慧等. 硫酸盐还原菌对船体低合金裸钢腐蚀行为的影响 [J]. 材料开发与应用, 2023, 38(1): 29
[22]	Zhang K. Research on corrosion failure rule and control method of buried pipeline under SRB [D]. Xi'an: Xi'an Shiyou University, 2020
	张科. 埋地管道在SRB作用下的腐蚀失效规律及控制方法研究 [D]. 西安: 西安石油大学, 2020
[23]	Wan H X, Li T T, Song D D, et al. Effect of SRB on corrosion behavior of X80 pipeline steel [J]. Surf. Technol., 2020, 49(9): 281
	万红霞, 李婷婷, 宋东东等. X80管线钢在硫酸盐还原菌作用下的腐蚀行为 [J]. 表面技术, 2020, 49(9): 281
[24]	Enning D, Garrelfs J. Corrosion of iron by sulfate-reducing bacteria: New views of an old problem [J]. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2014, 80: 1226 doi: 10.1128/AEM.02848-13
[25]	Wang L W, Du C W, Liu Z Y, et al. Effects of influences of Fe₃C and pearlite on the electrochemical corrosion behaviors of low carbon ferrite steel [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2011, 47: 1227 doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1037.2011.00198
	王力伟, 杜翠薇, 刘智勇等. Fe₃C和珠光体对低碳铁素体钢腐蚀电化学行为的影响 [J]. 金属学报, 2011, 47: 1227 doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1037.2011.00198
[26]	Li F S, An M Z, Liu G Z, et al. Effects of sulfidation of passive film in the presence of SRB on the pitting corrosion behaviors of stainless steels [J]. Mater. Chem. Phys., 2009, 113: 971 doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2008.08.077
[27]	Hamilton W A. Bioenergetics of sulphate-reducing bacteria in relation to their environmental impact [J]. Biodegradation, 1998, 9: 201 pmid: 10022064
[28]	Wang H, Long X Z, Sun Y Y, et al. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy applied to microbial fuel cells: A review [J]. Front. Microbiol., 2022, 13: 973501 doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.973501
[29]	Ma W J. Research on corrosion mechanism of L360 steel in H₂S-CO₂-Cl^- system [D]. Xi'an: Xi'an Shiyou University, 2023
	马文骏. L360钢在H₂S-CO₂-Cl^-体系中的腐蚀机理研究 [D]. 西安: 西安石油大学, 2023
[30]	Zhang J, Yuan H, Zhao G X, et al. Corrosion resistance of 028 nickel-based alloy in ultra high temperature containing CO₂ environment [J]. Trans. Mater. Heat Treat., 2020, 41(6): 84
	张钧, 袁和, 赵国仙等. 028镍基合金在超高温含CO₂环境中的耐腐蚀性能 [J]. 材料热处理学报, 2020, 41(6): 84
[31]	Huang Y, Liu S J, Jiang C Y. Microbiologically influenced corrosion and mechanisms [J]. Microbiol. China, 2017, 44: 1699
	黄烨, 刘双江, 姜成英. 微生物腐蚀及腐蚀机理研究进展 [J]. 微生物学通报, 2017, 44: 1699
[32]	Li C. The study on mechanisms of typical microorganisms on corrosion of EH40 steel at the seawater/air interface [D]. Qingdao: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences), 2024
	李策. 海洋水气交界环境典型微生物对EH40钢腐蚀影响机制研究 [D]. 青岛: 中国科学院大学(中国科学院海洋研究所), 2024
[33]	Luo H, Su H Z, Dong C F, et al. Passivation and electrochemical behavior of 316L stainless steel in chlorinated simulated concrete pore solution [J]. Appl. Surf. Sci., 2017, 400: 38 doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2016.12.180
[34]	Karimi S, Nickchi T, Alfantazi A. Effects of bovine serum albumin on the corrosion behaviour of AISI 316L, Co-28Cr-6Mo, and Ti-6Al-4V alloys in phosphate buffered saline solutions [J]. Corros. Sci., 2011, 53: 3262 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2011.06.009
[35]	Song Y, Chen S G. Effect of temperature on corrosion behavior of copper-nickel alloys by sulphate-reducing bacteria in anaerobic environment [J]. Surf. Technol., 2022, 51(3): 95
	宋翼, 陈守刚. 温度对厌氧环境中硫酸盐还原菌所致铜镍合金腐蚀行为的影响 [J]. 表面技术, 2022, 51(3): 95
[36]	Guan F. Research on the corrosion mechanism of sulfate-reducing bacteria under cathodic protection [D]. Qingdao: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences), 2017
	管方. 阴极保护下硫酸盐还原菌腐蚀机理研究 [D]. 青岛: 中国科学院大学(中国科学院海洋研究所), 2017
[37]	Xu C M, Li X L, Fu A Q, et al. Effect of compound bactericidal corrosion inhibitor on corrosion behavior of N80 steel at different temperatures [J]. Chin. J. Mater. Res., 2025, 39: 145 doi: 10.11901/1005.3093.2023.602
	胥聪敏, 李雪丽, 付安庆等. 复配杀菌缓蚀剂对N80钢在SRB环境中微生物腐蚀行为的影响 [J]. 材料研究学报, 2025, 39: 145 doi: 10.11901/1005.3093.2023.602
[38]	Cui T Y. Study on microbiologically influenced corrosion behavior and mechanism of stainless steel by Shewanella algae based on microdomain characterization technology [D]. Beijing: University of Science & Technology Beijing, 2023
	崔天宇. 基于微区表征技术的不锈钢海藻希瓦氏菌微生物腐蚀行为及机理研究 [D]. 北京: 北京科技大学, 2023

[1]	LI Yuqing, ZHANG Tiezhi, HUANG Xinglin, SUN Zhenmei, ZHANG Yi, YIN Yansheng. Effect of Marinilactibacillus Piezotolerans on Corrosion Behavior of 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(6): 1619-1626.
[2]	YANG Baoqi, YAN Maocheng, SHI Xianbo, GAO Bowen. SRB Induced Corrosion Behavior of a Novel Microbial Corrosion Resistant Pipeline Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(6): 1755-1763.
[3]	LI Ping, SHI Huijie, PEI Jibin, WANG Zijian, CAO Tieshan, CHENG Congqian, ZHAO Jie. Impact of Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Irradiation on Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of 17-4PH Stainless Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(5): 1417-1424.
[4]	QI Peng, WANG Peng, ZENG Yan, ZHANG Dun. A Review of Detection Methods and Prediction Models for Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(3): 602-610.
[5]	XU Jingxiang, HUANG Ruiyang, CHU Zhenhua, JIANG Quantong. Corrosion Behavior of High Entropy Alloy FeNiCoCrW_0.2Al_0.1 in Sulfate-reducing Bacteria Containing Solution[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 460-468.
[6]	SHI Chao, LI Jiahao, WANG Rongxiang, ZHANG Bo, ZHOU Lanxin, LIU Guangming, SHAO Yawei. Effect of Different Bias Voltages on Anti-corrosion Properties of Multi-arc Ion Plated Al-coatings on 45# Carbon Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2024, 44(2): 323-334.
[7]	WANG Xiao, LI Ming, LIU Feng, WANG Zhongping, LI Xiangbo, LI Ningwang. Effect of Temperature on Erosion-corrosion Behavior of B10 Cu-Ni Alloy Pipe[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2023, 43(6): 1329-1338.
[8]	CHEN Qingguo, TANG Quanhong, QIN Zhenjie, LI Yifan, LI Lei, LI Xuanpeng, YUAN Juntao, SU Hang, FU Anqing. Corrosion Behavior of Hot-dip Aluminum Coating in “High Temperature-salt Deposited-CO₂/O₂” Multi-degree Coupling Environment[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2023, 43(3): 569-577.
[9]	WANG Xiao, LIU Feng, LI Yan, ZHANG Wei, LI Xiangbo. Corrosion Behavior of B10 Cu-Ni Alloy Pipe in Static and Dynamic Seawater[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2023, 43(1): 119-126.
[10]	ZHANG Fei, WANG Haitao, HE Yongjun, ZHANG Tiansui, LIU Hongfang. Case Analysis of Microbial Corrosion in Product Oil Pipeline[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2021, 41(6): 795-803.
[11]	MA Gang, GU Yanhong, ZHAO Jie. Research Progress on Sulfate-reducing Bacteria Induced Corrosion of Steels[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2021, 41(3): 289-297.
[12]	ZHANG Yao, GUO Chen, LIU Yanhui, HAO Meijuan, CHENG Shiming, CHENG Weili. Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Extruded Dilute Mg-2Sn-1Al-1Zn Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2020, 40(2): 146-150.
[13]	CHEN Jiachen,WANG Zhongwei,QIAO Lijie,YAN Yu. Interaction between Friction-wear and Corrosion in Special Environment[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2019, 39(5): 404-410.
[14]	Hongwei LIU,Hongfang LIU. Research Progress of Corrosion of Steels Induced by Iron Oxidizing Bacteria[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2017, 37(3): 195-206.
[15]	Yalin LV,Bijuan ZHENG,Hongwei LIU,Fuping XIONG,Hongfang LIU,Yulong HU. Effect of Static Magnetic Field on Adhesion of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria Biofilms on 304 Stainless Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2016, 36(6): 652-658.

No Suggested Reading articles found!

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed