Synergisic effect of Mn, Cu, P with Cr content on the corrosion behavior of weathering steel as a train under the simulated industrial atmosphere

Corrosion behavior of weathering steel with different alloy content as a train in simulated industrious atmosphere has been studied by Wet/dry cyclic corrosion test, electrochemical technique and micro-analysis method. The results show that all samples exhibit increasing corrosion resistances at the first 24 days and show different corrosion behavior after 24 days. This is due to the corrosion behaviors of all samples depend on microstructure and chemical composition at first 24 days and are independent in the protective ability of the rust layer and hydrogen production in cathodic reaction after 24 days. The results show that different alloy elements play different synergic effects on weatherability of weathering steel. It can found that P show an obvious improving weatherability in Cr-containing steel and Cu、Mn exhibit detrimental weatherability in a Cr-containing weathering steel, which is related to the comprehensive role of the character of the formation of rust layers and the hydrogen production in cathodic reactions. •The WS-C with high Cr and P shows the best weatherability in simulated industrious atmosphere.•The WS-A with Mn, Cu and little Cr exhibits bad weatherabililty in simulated industrious atmosphere.•The roles of element alloys affect by hydrogen evolution in catholic zone and the character of corrosion scales.