High-precision in situ 3D ultrasonic imaging of localized corrosion-induced material morphological changes

We present an ultrasonic research technique that can carry out in situ, direct monitoring of the 3D morphologies of corrosion substrates. The technique has a customizable lateral resolution, an ultra-high axial resolution of 100 nm, and an experimentally proven measurement accuracy. In using the technique to monitor the localized corrosion processes of carbon steel under constant DCs, it was observed that during each of the experiments conducted in alkaline environments, iron dissolution accelerated for a certain period of time and then slowed down. Based on the various features of the ultrasonic signals acquired and the XRD spectra of the corrosion products obtained, it was deduced that an increase in iron dissolution rate as such was accompanied by the depositing of solid corrosion products onto the substrate used and driven by the formation of Fe3O4, which consumed electrons. After a while, the corrosion product layer collapsed and the formation of Fe3O4 was halted.