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University of San Jose-Recoletos: Senior High School Department
University of San Jose-Recoletos: Senior High School Department
University of San Jose-Recoletos: Senior High School Department
The Effect of Varied pH Levels of Chlorinated Water to the Corrosion Rate of 316L
Stainless Steels
Proponents:
In the industry and engineering world, one of the most important materials used
is stainless steel. It is considered one of the most reliable materials because of its wide
applications in terms of chemical, power generation plants, and primary foundation
materials. This type of material is widely used in finishing industries and in the jewelry
field. Stainless steels have been used successfully in swimming pools for decades (Euro
Inox, 2013). In the jewelry world, almost all stainless steel jewelry is made from one
group of alloys known as 316L steel. According to AZO Materials, Grade 316L, the low
carbon version of 316, is immune from sensitisation (grain boundary carbide
precipitation). It is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to
304 amongst the austenitic stainless steels. The molybdenum gives better overall
corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particular higher resistance to pitting and
crevice corrosion in chloride environments. Furthermore, this material contains Iron,
0.03% Carbon, 16-18.5% Chromium, 10-14% Nickel, small amounts of Manganese,
Silicon and Phosphorus. It is known for its strong, durable and rust-resistant properties.
However, there was a case of a customer from a jewelry company wherein the stainless
steel wearer noticed physical changes to the piece after long exposure to the pool, which
resulted to look rough-looking and rough texture. This lead the researchers to investigate
on the corrosion rate of 316L steel when exposed to different pH levels of chlorinated
water or pool water.
Thus, this study aims to determine the effect of varied pH levels of
chlorinated water to the corrosion rate of stainless steel, specifically 316L steel.
The researchers shall do the investigatory project aiming to answer the following
questions: (1) Can chlorinated water corrode 316L stainless steel; (2) What would be the
effect on 316L stainless steel under certain pH levels of chlorinated water; and (3) What
will be the corrosion rate of 316L stainless steel after being tested to varied pH levels of
chlorinated water.
The researchers find the investigatory project useful in the world of jewelry. The
investigatory project is done to determine the longevity of its durability and quality under
certain pH levels of chlorinated water. By that, it can help the jewelry makers and
finishing industries in finding more ways in utilizing and strengthening its durability as the
main material used in the jewelry and industry world. Moreover, the study is also made
to inform the jewelry wearers on how the quality of the material is affected when often
exposed to chlorinated water or pool water. The study can also be used as a reference
to the future researchers who would further investigate on this type of stainless steel.
1.4 Scope and Limitations
The investigatory project shall only be limited on the effect and utilization of
stainless steel, specifically the most widely and commonly used in the jewelry and
industry world—the 316L steel under chlorinated water. Furthermore, the researchers
shall limit the usage of seven different pH levels of chlorinated water for the experiment:
three low pH levels of chlorinated water, one standard pH level of chlorinated water,
and three high pH levels of chlorinated water. The researchers shall use HCI
(hydrochloric acid) to lower the pH level of the substance and soda ash to raise the pH
level of the chlorinated water.
1.5 Hypothesis
The researchers hypothesized that chlorinated water can corrode this type of
stainless steel under certain substances and conditions. The researchers believe that
low pH chlorinated water can corrode stainless steel, producing surface pitting and
crevice corrosion. According to Webcorr Corrosion Consulting Services, pitting and
crevice corrosion is caused by the environment (chemistry) that may contain aggressive
chemical species such as chloride. Chloride is particularly damaging to the passive film
(oxide) so pitting can initiate at oxide breaks and begin corrosion. Furthermore, the
researchers hypothesized that the corrosion rate of stainless steel is higher when
exposed on low pH levels of chlorinated water than those exposed under high pH levels
of chlorinated water.
2. Methodology
The materials/apparatuses, and the procedure for the investigatory project shall be
explained further in this section.
2.1 Material/ Apparatus
For the experiment setup, here are the following materials to be used:
Beaker - 7 pieces
Petri dish - 7 pieces
316L steel - 7 pieces ( 1.25 inches - length; 1mm - width and 6.48 g per piece)
HCI (Hydrochloric acid) – 1 bottle (100mL)
Soda Ash (Sodium bicarbonate) - ½ kilo
pH meter
chlorinated water – 100 ml per beaker (0.2mg Cl / liter of H2O)
surgical gloves - 3 pairs
small weighing scale
paper
measuring cup
masking tape and marker
spoon
timer
2.2 Procedure
The experiment is guided by the following steps/procedures:
Gantt Chart
DECEMBER
ACTIVITIES 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Topic
Consultation
and Approval
Minutes of the
Meeting
(Dec. 11,
2018)
Introduction
JANUARY
ACTIVITIE 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3
S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
and 3
Revision of
Papers
Gathering
of
Materials
MARCH
ACTIVITIES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Experiment Day 1
Experiment Day 2
Chapter 4 and
5
Finalization of Papers
Final Research
Paper Submission
LEGEND:
Experiment Trial Days
GROUP MAKING
GROUP SUBMISSION
FINAL GROUP SUBMISSION
Logistics of the Experiment
316L stainless steel 7 pieces 42. 85php/piece 299.95 php Hardware store
3.1 Findings
In the experiment conducted, the researchers initially recorded the following:
Table 1 shows the sample and its initial data specifically of the following: weight in grams
and height in inches of the 316L steel, the specific pH level of each beaker, and the specific
weight of Hydrochloric acid and Sodium carbonate used for each beaker. The data applies to
both Trial 1 and Trial 2.
Table 2 shows the Trial 1 data gathered. The table shows comparison of the mass of the
samples before immersing it to its respective beakers and after its immersion. As seen above,
there is a difference before and after conducting the experiment for trial 1. Moreover, the sample
in the beaker 1 has the highest weight loss rate compared to other samples of other beakers.
Table 3 shows the gathered data for Trial 2. The table shows the comparison of the
sample’s masses before and after its immersion. It can be seen that there is a difference before
and after the experiment for trial 2. Still, the same with Table 2, the sample in the beaker 1 has
the highest weight loss rate compared to other samples of other beakers in Trial 2.
Figure 1
Figure 1 shows the comparison of weight loss from trials 1 and 2. The chart shows that
there is a difference of 0.01 for beaker 1 in trials 1 and 2, and a difference of 0.01 for beaker 4 in
trials 1 and 2. The rest of the beakers shows no difference in trials 1 and 2.
Table 4 shows the comparison of the final weight from trial 1 and 2, and the average final
weight from trial 1 and 2. Moreover, the table also shows the weight loss as the difference of the
initial mass of each sample and its respective average final weight.
Figure 1 shows the corrosion rate formula used to attain the value of corrosion rate among
samples. Furthermore, table 5 also shows the different corrosion rates of each sample, with the
sample from beaker 1 as the highest corrosion rate of 0.0733 mm/yr and sample from beaker 7
as the lowest corrosion rate of 0.0105 mm/yr.
Table 6 shows the physical appearance of the samples from beakers 1 to 7. The
researchers used the microscope to determine any surface pitting and to the state of its surface
in a microscopic level. Furthermore, the table also describes the physical appearance of the
samples in a microscopic level as seen by the researchers.
Graph 1. Comparison to Accumulated Weight Loss of Different Graph 2. Comparison to Accumulated Weight Loss of Different
Concentrations of HCI with its corresponding pH level for Trial 1 Concentrations of HCI with its corresponding pH level for Trial 2
Graph 1 shows the comparison to accumulated weight loss of the different concentrations
of Hydrochloric acid (HCI) in 100mL chlorinated water for Trial 1. It is clearly seen that the two
high concentration of HCI (20 and 30mL) among the HCI solution has the highest corrosive
effect (mass loss) among the steel samples. Graph 2, on the other hand, shows the comparison
to accumulated weight loss of the different concentrations of Hydrochloric acid (HCI) in 100mL
chlorinated water for Trial 2. It is clearly seen that the highest concentration of HCI (30 mL) has
the highest corrosive effect (mass loss) among the steel specimens.
Graph 3. Accumulated Weight Loss of Chlorinated Water (7.4 pH) Graph 4. Accumulated Weight Loss of Chlorinated Water (7.4 pH)
Graph 3 shows the accumulated weight loss of the steel specimen to the 100mL chlorinated
water concentration (0.0002mg Cl/100mL H2O). It shows that the concentration does not greatly
affect the steel specimen as its weight loss is not that high compared to other samples
aforementioned. Graph 4, on the other hand, shows the accumulated weight loss of the steel
specimen to the chlorinated water concentration but with a slight difference to the Trial 1 of the
same pH level. Both setup does not greatly affect the steel specimen.
Graph 5. Comparison to Accumulated Weight Loss of Different Graph 6. Comparison to Accumulated Weight Loss of Different
Concentrations of Na2CO3 with its corresponding pH level for Trial 1 Concentrations of Na2CO3 with its corresponding pH level for Trial 2
Graph 5 shows the accumulated weight loss to the different concentrations of the Sodium
carbonate (Na2CO3) in 100mL chlorinated water. It can be clearly identified that the
concentration did not do much corrosive effect (mass loss) compared to Graph 1 for it shows
the same weight loss among the samples. In Graph 6, it shows the accumulated weight loss to
the different concentrations of Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Compared to Graph 5, there is a
difference in the 3rd sample, which has 8.9 pH level (30 mg Na2CO3/100 mL Chlorinated
water). It can be clearly observed that there is no weight loss in Trial 2, compared to Trial 1 that
has a weight loss of 0.01 g.
Graph 7. Comparison to Accumulated Weight Loss among Samples Graph 8. Comparison to Accumulated Weight Loss among Samples
within Time Frame of Immersion for Trial 1 within Time Frame of Immersion for Trial 2
Graph 7 shows the accumulated weight loss among samples with varied pH levels within
immersion time for Trial 1 and Graph 8 shows the accumulated weight loss among samples with
varied pH levels within immersion time for Trial 2. It can be observed that among the two
graphs, there is minimal difference in terms of accumulated weight loss, in trials 1 and 2.
Graph 9. Comparison of Average Accumulated Weight Loss from Trials 1 and 2
Graph 9 shows the average accumulated weight loss from trials 1 and 2 among samples
with varied pH levels. It can be seen that in the graph, the pH level with the highest average
accumulated weight loss among the given samples is the sample with 5.9 pH.
4. Conclusions
The researchers conclude that there is a relationship between the concentration of
certain solutions to its pH level, classifying it as an acid or base. Moreover, the researchers
conclude that the pH level of a solution can greatly affect the sample immersed in it which can
be observed through its weight loss. Weight loss in turn, contributes to the corrosion rate of the
material that if it has a greater value of weight loss, the specific sample will definitely have a
greater corrosion rate compared to those who have lesser value of weight loss. Corrosion rate is
also affected by the time of its immersion, as to how long the material will be immersed in a
certain solution. Therefore, to answer the problems of the study, the researchers conclude that
chlorinated water can corrode 316L steel but with minimal difference. Moreover, the lower the
pH level, the higher the chance of the steel to show surface pitting and rough-looking surfaces,
and the corrosion rate of the varied pH levels are the following: 0.0733 mm/yr (5.9 pH), 0.0629
mm/yr (6.4 pH), 0.0419 mm/yr (6.9 pH), 0.0314 mm/yr (7.4 pH), 0.0210 mm/yr (both 7.9 and 8.4
pH) and 0.0105 mm/yr (8.9 pH). The lower the pH level, the greater the value for weight loss
and corrosion rate.
5. Recommendations
The researchers recommend to the future researchers to lengthen the time frame for
immersion of materials in solutions to get more accurate results. Moreover, it is also
recommended to research more about the chemicals to be used, and the sample that will be
utilized for the experiment. This is to avoid changing your materials before the whole duration of
the experiment. Lastly, the researchers recommend to the future researchers to use higher
technology and more digital apparatuses during the experiment so as to avoid the delay of
gathering data for the study.
6. Appendix
Calculations
Beaker 1
𝐾 (𝐾𝐾 −𝐾𝐾) 3272 𝐾𝐾 (35 𝐾𝐾)
R= 𝐾⋅𝐾𝐾⋅𝐾
= 260350 𝐾𝐾 2 ⋅120 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾⋅8.03𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾 3 = 0.0733 𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾
Beaker 2
𝐾 (𝐾𝐾 −𝐾𝐾) 3272 𝐾𝐾 (30 𝐾𝐾)
R= = = 0.0629 𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾
𝐾⋅𝐾𝐾⋅𝐾 260350 𝐾𝐾 2 ⋅120 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾⋅8.03𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾 3
Beaker 3
𝐾 (𝐾𝐾 −𝐾𝐾) 3272 𝐾𝐾 (20 𝐾𝐾)
R= 𝐾⋅𝐾𝐾⋅𝐾
=260350 𝐾𝐾 2 ⋅120 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾⋅8.03𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾 3 = 0.0419 𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾
Beaker 4
𝐾 (𝐾𝐾 −𝐾𝐾) 3272 𝐾𝐾 (15 𝐾𝐾)
R= 𝐾⋅𝐾𝐾⋅𝐾
=260350 𝐾𝐾 2 ⋅120 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾⋅8.03𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾 3 = 0.0314 𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾
Beaker 5
𝐾 (𝐾𝐾 −𝐾𝐾) 3272 𝐾𝐾 (10 𝐾𝐾)
R= = = 0.0210 𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾
𝐾⋅𝐾𝐾⋅𝐾 260350 𝐾𝐾 2 ⋅120 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾⋅8.03𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾 3
Beaker 6
𝐾 (𝐾𝐾 −𝐾𝐾) 3272 𝐾𝐾 (10 𝐾𝐾)
R= 𝐾⋅𝐾𝐾⋅𝐾
=260350 𝐾𝐾 2 ⋅120 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾⋅8.03𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾 3 = 0.0210 𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾
Beaker 7
𝐾 (𝐾𝐾 −𝐾𝐾) 3272 𝐾𝐾 (5 𝐾𝐾)
R= 𝐾⋅𝐾𝐾⋅𝐾
=260350 𝐾𝐾 2 ⋅120 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾⋅8.03𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾 3 = 0.0105 𝐾𝐾/𝐾𝐾
7. Bibliography
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