Some Effects of Alkalis on Corrosion Of Mild Steel in Steam Generating Systems

Abstract

Aqueous solutions of lithium hydroxide behave quite differently from aqueous solutions of sodium or potassium hydroxide in their reaction with steel in high temperature aqueous systems. The reaction of lithium hydroxide with steel at 316 C is characterized by the development of four different solid corrosion products: Fe3O4, LiFe5O8 and two forms of LiFeO2. Conditions for the genesis of these phases are outlined and the marked differences between the behaviors of lithium hydroxide and other alkalis in the reaction with steel at elevated temperatures are discussed.