ABSTRACT
A Collaborative Testing Programme has been conducted to map differences in sea water corrosivity towards stainless steel among European laboratories. The sea water varied from brackish to full strength ocean water. The test comprised monitoring of free corrosion potential and the reduction current of UNS S31254, crevice corrosion testing of three different stainless steel qualities, comparison of critical pitting temperature of UNS S31600 and monitoring of sea water parameters. Potential ennoblement and increase in the reduction current were observed at all the test stations involved during both seasons. The rate of the anodic reaction in the stable pitting process was practically independent of the sea water composition. The tendency towards initiation of crevice corrosion was found to differ significantly among the test stations involved, which is difficult to explain based on data available on chemical, physical properties and biological effects.
