Microbiologically Induced Corrosion (MIC) takes place in harbors, nuclear plants, oil industry structures and most production plants. MIC is often observed as a localized corrosion (pits)[1,2], which can evolve into uniform corrosion. Previous work enabled a special sensor to be developed dedicated to the detection of localized biocorrosion of carbon steel structures. This sensor is based on the corrosion initiation of a small electrode which is then connected to a large electrode by a zero resistance ammeter that enables the measurement of the naturally flowing corrosion current. The anode area is small enough
to make corrosion occur on its whole surface and to consider that the coupled electrodes simulate a localized biocorrosion process. Either an electrochemical or a mechanical procedure can be used effectively for corrosion initiation conditioning step. This sensor is used for this work as a tool to investigate the biocorrosion process by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The spectra recorded enable changes in kinetics and in surface properties to be analyzed. Due to the sensor principle, the anode and cathode surfaces are clearly defined, and the simultaneous investigation of both electrodes is possible. The investigation carried out on the electrodes shows modifications in Polarization Resistance (Rp) as well as Electrolyte Resistance (Re) and Capacity (C) indicating changes in surface properties. As the experiments are performed in the presence of a SRB biofilm, which is able to induce extensive localized corrosion, conditioning procedures are assumed to be the main actors in the evolution of the MIC process.
Keywords: carbon steel; biocorrosion, localized corrosion, pitting corrosion; microbiologically induced corrosion; sulfate reducing bacteria; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.