MICROBIAL CORROSION

Presented By:
Jarar Haider (170301032)
Osama Daniyal (170301030)
 Definition
• Microbial Corrosion is the deterioration of a
metal by corrosion processes that occurs
directly or indirectly because of the activity of
microorganisms.
• Also known as
 Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion
(MIC)
 Biocorrosion
• Both metal and non-metal surfaces
 Required Factors

• If the corrosion is influenced by microbial activity,

further requirements are:
 Energy source

 Carbon source
 Electron donator
Electron acceptor

 Water
 Environment of MIC
• The biological activity may influence
corrosion in a variety of environments
including;
– Soil
– Natural water
– Sea water
– Natural petroleum products
 CAUSES
• When the bacteria creates chemical reactions at
either the anode and/or the cathode of the corrosion
concentration cells that result in metal wastage.
• Caused by adherence to the interfaces (biofilms).
• Bacteria cause cathodic depolarization by removing
hydrogen adsorbed on metal surfaces.
 Classification of microorganisms
• Aerobic organisms (that require oxygen)
• Anaerobic organism (that doesn’t require
oxygen)
– Anaerobic bacteria can exist in the inner parts of
the corrosion deposits.
 Bacteria Known to Cause MIC
Genus of Species pH Temperature °C Oxygen Requirement Metals Affected

Iron
Desulfo vibrio 4-8 10-40 Anaerobic , steel, stainless
steels, aluminum, zinc,
and copper alloys

Desulfo tomaculum 6-8 10– 40 (some 45-75) Anaerobic Iron and steel; stainless
steels

Desulfo monas 10– 40 Anaerobic Iron and steel

Thiobacillus 0.5–8 10– 40 Aerobic Iron and steel, copper

thioxidans alloys

Thiobacillus 1-7 10-40 Aerobic Iron and steel

ferrooxidans

Gallionella 7-10 20-40 Aerobic Iron and steel

Sphaerotilus 7-10 20-40 Aerobic Iron and steel

 Sulfur Oxidizing Bacteria
(Aerobic)

• Sulfur oxidizing bacteria such as thiobaccillus

thiooxidants are capable of oxidizing
elemental sulfur or sulfur bearing compounds
to sulfuric acid acc. to the following equation;

2S + 3O2 + 2H2O 2H2SO4

 Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
(Anaerobic)

• Produce hydrogen sulfide cause sulfide stress cracking

• – A form of hydrogen embrittlement
• – Alloys, especially steel, react with hydrogen sulfide,
forming metal sulfides and atomic hydrogen as corrosion
byproducts.
• The reduced suphate to sulphide acc. to the following
equation:
SO4-2 + 4H2 S-2 + 4H2O
 Practical Example
• SRB attacking the channels of aluminum
cooling plate.
• The source of the bacteria is the feed water,
which may be supplied from a lake, river, or a
dam.
Other Microorganisms
Prevention of microbiological corrosion