In-situ KFM observation of atmospheric corrosion on low alloy steel
Sea salt particles of 10ug/cm2 were attched on SM50B steel at 40% RH, then the specimen was kept at 40% RH and the progress of corrosion was observed by KFM (80um X 80um). In the right image of the movie, bright part corresponds the negative potential part. The initiation of corrosion from sea salt partcles is clearly observed. The corrosion morphology depends on the shape of sea salt particles. Upper images show the optical microscope image of sea salt particles. The sea salt particles were depositted at 40%RH (left image) then were kept at 85%RH for 1h (right image). The shape of sea salt particles depends on the relative humidity.
