The biofilm formation and electrochemical behavior of stainless steels were studied in environments simulating the splash zone areas of paper machines. A novel glass dome arrangement for laboratory tests
was used. As a test environment simulated white water using mixed communities with SRBs and aerobic bacteria was applied. The potentials were recorded and anodic polarization curves were determined. The biofilms formed were analyzed by microbial cultivation and microscopic examination. Biofilm population was characterized using in-situ hybridization. The sulfur compounds, oxalate as well as chloride content in the simulated white water were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. The biofilm formation was clearly more representative than in earlier studies performed with totally immersed specimens in
modified Robbins device. Also the biofilm formed resembled that formed at the field in real mill conditions. Using this test arrangement it was possible to add both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria simultane-
ously. Pitting initiated easily on the UNS S30400 stainless steel, when the amounts of both aerobic bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria were high after the test. However, the high amount alone was not enough, the bacteria had to be active as well.
Keywords: stainless steel, MIC, paper industry, SRB, Bacillus, white water, splash zone