To study the influence of marine organisms upon corrosion of ASTM A36 carbon steel, specimens were immersed in both natural and synthetic seawater. Electrochemical techniques such as linear polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance scan (EIS) were applied to evaluate corrosion of the steel. The results indicated that attachment of marine organisms to form fouling layers on the steel surface reduced general corrosion, but localized corrosion occurred underneath marine organisms. An equivalent circuit model was established to simulate attachment of marine organisms upon carbon steel surfaces.
Keywords: Marine corrosion, marine organisms, macrofouling, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, equivalent circuit model.