Four cases of corrosion in hydroelectric powerplants are reported. Pitting and crevice corrosion under deposits occurred on components made of martensitic stainless steels in river water at moderate chloride levels, which in each case was too low to fully explain the attacks. An additional corrosive factor was identified in the form of scale containing higher manganese oxides that was present on all damaged surfaces. Such material is known to be a possible cause for the effect of Ennoblement lowering the critical chloride concentration for stainless steel. Scale formation was attributed to the activity of manganese oxidizing microorganisms. These findings allow the cases to be classified as microbially influenced corrosion by manganese oxidizing microorganisms. The results of various investigations are presented and discussed with respect to failure analysis, countermeasures, and risk assessment.
Keywords: MIC, ennoblement, manganese dioxide, stainless steel, powerplant.