An Acoustic Microbalance Study of High-Temperature Naphthenic Acid Corrosion of Common Iron-Alloying Elements

The naphthenic acid corrosion of iron and of several alloying elements used in many commercial ferrous alloys was investigated in oil-based solutions at a temperature of 270°C. Dynamic corrosion rates were measured over time periods of several hours with an ultrasensitive, acoustic gallium orthophosphate crystal microbalance. The results provide insight into the corrosion behavior of various iron alloys in a refinery environment and can be used to understand the origin of the corrosion resistance of these alloys.