When addressing deep pitting corrosion in structural steel, what specific chemical treatment method effectively neutralizes active rust within the pits without forming a superficial barrier that compromises subsequent coating adhesion?

The specific chemical treatment method that effectively neutralizes deep pitting corrosion in structural steel without forming a superficial barrier that compromises subsequent coating adhesion is treatment with citric acid. Active rust, typically composed of hydrated iron oxides such as goethite and lepidocrocite, actively participates in the ongoing electrochemical corrosion process. Deep pitting corrosion refers to localized, advanced degradation where the corrosion penetrates significantly into the steel, creating challenging internal geometries for treatment. Citric acid is a weak organic acid that functions primarily through a process called chelation. Chelation is a chemical reaction where the citric acid molecule, acting as a chelating agent, binds to metal ions, specifically the iron ions (Fe2+ and Fe3+) present within the rust. This binding forms stable, water-soluble iron citrate complexes. When applied to the rusted steel, the liquid citric acid solution penetrates into the deep pits, reacting with the active rust. The iron ions from the rust are drawn into the solution by the citric acid, effectively dissolving the solid rust. By dissolving and removing the active rust from within the pits, the corrosion process is neutralized because the corrosive agents and their products are eliminated from the steel surface. Crucially, after this chemical reaction, the soluble iron citrate complexes, along with any excess citric acid, are thoroughly rinsed away with water. This rinsing step ensures that no solid, superficial barrier or conversion layer, such as those formed by phosphate or tannate-based rust converters, remains on the steel surface. The resulting surface is clean, bare, and often microscopically etched. This clean, rust-free, and bare metallic surface provides an ideal substrate for subsequent protective coatings, promoting excellent mechanical adhesion (through surface roughness and porosity) and chemical bonding without any intervening layer that could otherwise weaken the bond.