Microbiologically influenced corrosion of a novel pipeline steel containing Cu and Cr elements in the presence of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough.

Inspired by the principle of copper-containing antibacterial stainless steel, a new type of Cu-Cr-bearing pipeline steel has been developed. Through a variety of surface characterization and electrochemical tests, the antibacterial property and microbiologically influenced corrosion resistance (MIC) of the novel type of steel were studied. Although the addition of Cu did not make this steel exhibit ideal antibacterial properties, all the results still showed that MIC resistance of the novel pipeline steel was better than that of X70 and Cr-bearing steels. The synergistic effect of Cr and Cu in the Cu-Cr-bearing pipeline steel contributed a beneficial effect to the improved MIC resistance. • The novel Cu-Cr bearing steel possesses better corrosion resistance than X70 steel in the presence of DvH. • The pit depth of X70 steel is twice more than that of Cu-Cr bearing steel in the presence of DvH. • The better pitting corrosion resistance of Cu-Cr bearing steel is the result of the synergistic effect of Cr and Cu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]