Abrasion resistances of CO2 corrosion scales formed at different temperatures and their relationship to corrosion behaviour

The abrasion resistances of CO₂ corrosion scales formed on API P110 grade carbon steel at different temperatures and CO₂ corrosion behaviour of P110 carbon steel have been investigated utilising weight loss method, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that as the film forming temperature increased, the abrasion rate of CO₂ corrosion scales increased firstly and then decreased, the variation trend was similar to that of the corrosion rate, and the maximal abrasion rate was present at 70°C rather than 100°C, at which the maximal corrosion rate was obtained and CO₂ corrosion scales were loose and porous and were composed of FeCO₃, Fe₃C and CaCO₃. The abrasion resistances of CO₂ corrosion scales formed at 100°C was reinforced by the sand particles embedded easily in the loose and porous layer, together with a very hard residual skeleton, Fe₃C. In addition, CaCO₃ was worn out easily and substituted by SiO₂ during abrasive wear.