Investigation of corrosion behavior of 16Mn steel gusset plates in marine alternating dry-wet environments using response surface methodology

The harsh marine environment causes the corrosion of gusset plates on offshore platforms, which seriously threatens their safety and lifespan. This study investigates the corrosion behavior of 16Mn steel gusset plates in a marine environment, focusing on the effects of chloride ion concentration, dry-wet ratio, and applied stress. The mathematical model, developed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and COMSOL Multiphysics simulations, reveals that chloride ion concentration exerts the greatest influence on the corrosion rate, followed by the dry-wet ratio and applied stress. A significant interaction between chloride ion concentration and dry-wet ratio was observed. The model’s R² value is 0.9961, confirming its accuracy. Corrosion mainly occurs at the right-angled edges and curved edges of the gusset plates. These research findings provide a scientific basis for the anti-corrosion design of marine materials, contributing to ensuring the safety of offshore platforms and extending their service life.