Enhancement resistance to microbiologically influenced stress corrosion of Cu-bearing steel against Bacillus cereus

Microorganisms are notoriously known to cause local corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC), which seriously endangers the materials service safety. Cu can enhance antibacterial function of the material and reduce the vulnerability to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). However, the dilemma of how much Cu content generates the best resistance to microbiological corrosion and SCC arises. Here, we modified the Cu content in pipeline steel to obtain the best antibacterial effect to nitrate reducing bacteria Bacillus cereus and HE resistance. The findings offer a fresh perspective on how to design and prepare a steel that are both resistant to microbiological corrosion and SCC.