Effect of weld metal chemistry on stress corrosion cracking behavior of AISI 444 ferritic stainless steel weldments in boiling chloride solution

The influence of the weld metal chemistry on the susceptibility of AISI 444 ferritic stainless steel (FSS) weldment to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in hot chloride was investigated by constant load tests and metallographic examination. Two types of filler metal of austenitic stainless steel (E316L and E309L) were used in order to produce fusion zones of different chemical compositions. The SCC test results showed that the interface between the fusion zone (FZ) and the heat affected zone (HAZ) was the most susceptible region to SCC. Results also showed that the AISI 444 stainless steel weldment with E309L weld metal presented the best SSC resistance. Microstructural examinations indicated that the cracks initiated in the weld metal and propagated to the HAZ of the AISI 444 FSS, where the fracture occurred and it was observed a considerable amount of precipitates. Additionally, the higher SCC resistance of the AISI 444 FSS weldment with E309L weld metal may be attributed to the presence of a discontinuous delta‐ferrite network in its microstructure, which acted as a barrier to cracks propagation from the fusion zone to the HAZ/fusion zone interface of AISI 444 FSS. Fractrography analyses showed that the transgranular quasi‐cleavage fracture mode was predominant in the AISI 444 weldment with E316L weld metal and the mixed fracture mode was the predominant in the AISI 444 weldment with E309L weld metal.     

Susceptibility of 316L stainless steel to crevice corrosion in submersible solenoid valve

The susceptibility of 316L stainless steel to crevice corrosion was investigated by using immersion test and electrochemical test. Three kinds of crevices including 316L‐to‐polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) crevice, 316L‐to‐fluoroelastomeric (FKM) crevice and 316L‐to‐316L crevice were tested in artificial seawater at 50°C. The results indicate that 316L stainless steel specimen is the most susceptible to crevice corrosion when it is coupled to 316L stainless steel crevice former, while it is the least susceptible when it is coupled to FKM crevice former. It suggests that during submersible solenoid valve design, the crevice of metal‐to‐metal should be moderately large so that crevice corrosion can not initiate and propagate, and FKM O‐ring rather than PTFE O‐ring should be selected as obturating ring. The corroded surface morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three regions including passive region, active region and variable region can be observed on crevice corrosion sites.     

Stainless steel crevice corrosion testing in natural and synthetic seawater

Susceptibility of stainless steel to crevice corrosion in natural and synthetic seawater was investigated by a new test method, developed by a research group, CrevCorr, of the Marine Working Party of the European Federation of Corrosion. The method was defined on the basis of a Round Robin test performed by twenty laboratories over the world [1, 2]. Among them was our Institute at the Adriatic coast. Geometry of the crevice model, gasket materials, finishing of metal surface and the electrochemical potential increase rate were strictly defined. The monitoring of the free corrosion potential of two austenitic steels and a duplex steel, in the constant flowing conditions, as well as the redox potential, temperature, chloride and oxygen content, have been carried out during six months in the natural seawater from the Adriatic Sea at the location in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Sharp drop of the corrosion potential was used as an indication of the crevice corrosion initiation. After exposure to the seawater eventual crevice damage on a steel specimen was detected by visual and microscopic inspections. In the synthetic seawater the organic component was simulated by glucose and glucose oxidase [3, 4]. The monitoring of the free corrosion potential and the redox potential was performed at 20, 30 and 40°C during five days, and results compared with those obtained in the natural seawater at same temperatures.     

The crevice corrosion behaviour of stainless steel in sodium chloride solution

The crevice corrosion behaviour of 13Cr stainless steel in NaCl solution was investigated mainly by electrochemical noise measurements, considering the influences of the crevice opening dimension (a) and the area ratio of the electrode outside the crevice to the one inside the crevice (r). Results show that the increase of r value prolongs the incubation period of crevice corrosion, but crevice corrosion develops rapidly once the crevice corrosion occurs. The crevice corrosion develops preferentially at the crevice bottom and then spreads to the whole electrode surface. Proton could reduce on the uncorroded area and hydrogen bubbles form inside the crevice.     

Rainbow fringes around crevice corrosion formed on stainless steel AISI 316 after ennoblement in seawater

The crevice corrosion occurrence probability of stainless steel (SS) AISI 316 was increased under ennoblement condition due to chemically added H₂O₂ into seawater. The H₂O₂ was used to simulate the important factor causing ennoblement in natural marine biofilm. Morphology of the crevice corrosion was observed using an incident‐light source microscopy. Some interesting “rainbow” fringes were observed around micro‐crevices. The mechanism was discussed from the ions diffusion and potential distribution during the crevice formation. This result shows that under ennoblement condition the colored fringe is a distinct characteristic of the morphology of localized corrosion for stainless steel.     

Influence of ultrasound on pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion of SUS304 stainless steel in chloride sodium aqueous solution

The change of polarization curves and surface morphologies of SUS304 stainless steel was investigated in 3.5 mass% NaCl solution with or without the application of ultrasound (US). As the result, both the pitting corrosion and the crevice corrosion were largely suppressed by the application of US. The reason is attributed to the decrease in the concentration of hydrogen and chloride ions in pits or in the crevice by removing the corrosion product and stirring the liquid there.     

Pitting and crevice corrosion of superaustenitic stainless steels

Superaustenites are mainly used in offshore applications, oil production and chemical industry. Most important types of localised corrosion of these steels are pitting and crevice corrosion. Investigated materials were N08028, S31254 and three modified alloys. Chromium content of investigated alloys varied between 20 and 27%, molybdenum between 3.2 and 6.0%, nitrogen between 0.1 and 0.36% and copper between 0 and 1.1%. For means of comparison stainless steel AISI 316L has been included in the study. Pitting and crevice corrosion of these highly corrosion resistant steels has been investigated by use of standardized tests. Critical pitting temperature and critical crevice temperatures were determined according to ASTM G 48, Methods C and D, respectively. Electrochemical measurements for determination of pitting potentials were done according to ASTM G 61 as well as for determination of critical pitting temperatures according to ASTM G 150. Results are presented as function of MARC (Measure of alloying for resistance to corrosion) defined by Speidel since linear correlation coefficients were higher when compared to conventional PREN. Results obtained by different testing methods must not be compared directly. Every test however is sensitive to microstructural defects like precipitations and segregations that decrease corrosion resistance. The higher alloyed a material is, the higher is its tendency to form microstructural defects, and the more difficult is it to reach its theoretical corrosion resistance at given chemical composition.     

经济型铁素体不锈钢焊接接头组织与耐蚀性能

采用ER-309焊丝焊接了TCS345,T4003,Nirosta 4003,JFE410RW四种铁素体不锈钢,用金相方法分析了四种母材、接头的显微组织,通过电化学极化曲线测量,对母材和焊接接头的耐腐蚀性能进行了评价.结果表明,TCS345和T4003铁素体不锈钢与Nirosta 4003和JFE410RW铁素体不锈钢的主要区别是钛和锰含量偏低,尤其是钛含量少,导致TCS345和T4003铁素体不锈钢的晶粒长大倾向较Nirosta 4003和JFE410RW铁素体不锈钢的明显.铁素体不锈钢焊接接头存在较大的热影响区,热影响区的组织与母材晶粒相比,其晶粒明显粗大;TCS345铁素体不锈钢的晶粒长大严重,Nirosta 4003和JFE410RW铁素体不锈钢的铁素体晶粒尺寸比TCS345略小,晶粒长大不明显.在1mol/L Na2SO4溶液中,TCS345和JFE410RW不锈钢母材的腐蚀性能优于T4003和Nirosta 4003.     

Effects of tungsten and nickel on repassivation rate of stainless steels in chloride solution by electrochemical method

The recent development of the method for analyzing repassivation rate by a rapid scratch test and high field conduction model makes it possible to predict SCC susceptibility more quantitatively but it is impossible to distinguish the repassivation rates with a little difference due to the inaccurate measurement of the scratched surface area. In addition, the electrochemical method previously reported as a method to remove passive film also makes it difficult to analyze repassivation rate by the high conduction model due to hydrogen evolution at the removing process. This study is to propose the new test conditions based on an electrochemical method and to get a better understanding of alloying elements on the repassivation rate of stainless steels. From the scratch test and the proposed electrochemical (potential step chronoamperometry: PSC) test, the function of nickel and tungsten affecting the repassivation rate is due to blocking the passivation by metal not participating in the formation of passive film and stabilizing the film by molybdenate (MoO₄^2?) with accelerating the dissolution rate of iron by tungsten, respectively. In addition, the PSC test can be approved a technique for simulating the repassivation rate by the comparison of the results from two tests. Finally, the relationship between protectiveness of passive film and repassivation rate was mentioned.     

Conditions for stress corrosion cracking to occur from crevice corrosion sites and related electrochemical features

The occurrence of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) from crevice corrosion sites was studied using a kind of occluded U‐bend specimen of Type 316L (UNS S31603) stainless steel. It was done in 0.5 M NaCl solution at room temperature and 50°C. The galvanostatic and potentiostatic polarization methods were adopted. It was found that a tight crevice and high polarization current were the necessary conditions for SCC to occur relative rapidly from crevice corrosion sites. Meanwhile, if there was obvious SCC developing from a crevice corrosion site, the IR drop (or solution resistance) in the crevice path would increase. The increase of IR was attributed to the corrosion product deposition and/or hydrogen bubbles evolved from the cracks. On the other hand, the usually high aspect ratio of stress corrosion cracks, i.e. the inhibited dissolution on the crack walls, might be explained as due to the existence of high IR drops in them.     

In situ investigation of crevice corrosion on UNS S32101 duplex stainless steel in sodium chloride solution

The crevice corrosion of UNS S32101 in neutral 0.1 M NaCl solutions at room temperature was investigated directly by a facile method. Experimental results showed that both delayed and immediate crevice corrosion can be initiated. Morphology study indicated that the heaviest corrosion attack happened just below the passive/active boundary on the crevice wall. The relocation of the active dissolution regions during crevice corrosion was observed and explained by established theory. The mechanisms of the delayed and immediate types of crevice corrosion on UNS S32101 duplex stainless steel were discussed.     

Initiation and repassivation of pitting corrosion of carbon steel in carbonated concrete pore solution

The initiation, propagation, repassivation of metastable pits of Q345 carbon steel in Cl⁻ containing concrete pore solution were studied by electrochemical noise. The initiation rate of metastable pits increases exponentially up to a constant value with time. After stable pit occurs, the nucleation of metastable pits is mainly induced by the rust layer, and mainly takes place in the outskirt of the rust layer. Stable pits incline to expand horizontally to produce a shallow pit. In addition, high concentration of nitrite can inhibit the nucleation of metastable pits around the rust cover and accelerate the repassivation of stable pits.     

The corrosion behavior of carbon steel in CO2‐saturated NaCl crevice solution containing acetic acid

The corrosion behavior of X52 carbon steel electrodes in CO₂‐saturated NaCl crevice solution containing HAc was investigated by electrochemical measurements. Chemical environment measurements by Cl^? and pH microprobes show an enrichment of Cl^? ions and an increase of pH values inside the crevice. Moreover, both increments could accelerate with the decreasing dimension of the crevice mouth due to the high diffusive resistance. When the electrode in the crevice solution is coupled with the electrode in bulk solution, the alkalization and the enrichment of Cl^? ions in the crevice solution can result in a negative shift of potential of the electrode in crevice solution, while the potential of the electrode in bulk solution shifts positively during the corrosion process. Thus, a galvanic corrosion is established with the electrode in the crevice solution acting as anode while another in the bulk solution as cathode, i.e., the corrosion in the crevice solution was enhanced while the corrosion in the bulk solution was retarded. The anodic dissolution and the cathodic reduction processes dominate in the crevice solution and in the bulk solution, respectively.     

Effects of low-temperature aging on AISI 444 steel

The consequences of aging at 400 and 475 °C on the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties of the ferritic stainless steel (SS) AISI 444 were investigated. Age hardening was measured as a function of aging time at both temperatures and was found to be more intense at 475 °C. The localized corrosion susceptibility increased, while the impact toughness decreased with aging time. These two effects were also more important at 475 °C. Unlike duplex SSs, AISI 444 did not present any variation in coercive force or Curie temperature with aging time. The effects on the Mössbauer spectra were also determined and analyzed.     

NaCl溶液中304不锈钢腐蚀过程的声发射特征

采用声发射技术研究了304不锈钢在0.01和0.05 mol·L-1Na Cl溶液中的腐蚀过程,应用光学显微镜观察了腐蚀前后试样表面形貌。结果表明,0.01和0.05 mol·L-1浓度下,304不锈钢腐蚀产生的声发射起始幅度不同,随时间延长,声发射幅度阶跃,直至达到最终的稳定幅度,这说明随浸泡时间延长,试样腐蚀程度加深。浸泡初期,声发射相对能量较高,声发射相对能量随浸泡时间延长而降低,但仍具有比较明显的相对能量积聚区,0.05 mol·L-1浓度时更为明显,同时其振铃数聚类区多于0.01 mol·L-1。浸泡4 h后,试样表面发生了晶间腐蚀和点蚀。相比0.01 mol·L-1浓度,0.05 mol·L-1下试样表面点蚀数量增多、点蚀孔尺寸增大。     

Depassivation and repassivation of stainless steels by stepwise pH change

Immersion tests with different stainless steels have been performed, while the pH was stepwise decreased and then increased again. During 8.5-day exposure, the depassivation and repassivation pH values as a function of pitting resistance equivalent number were determined. There is always a gap between both pH values (depassivation and repassivation), indicating that for every steel, there are conditions where an existing passive layer can be maintained but cannot be rebuilt after depassivation. In such environments, the passive layer is thicker, consisting mainly of molybdenum and iron rich oxides, while chromium is dissolved. Usually, depending on conditions, the passive layer is more chromium-rich, especially the inner layer. This is relevant, for example, for acidizing jobs in oil and gas industry, proving that repassivation after acidizing will happen promptly, when the pH is increased again.     

Ability of acoustic emission technique for detection and monitoring of crevice corrosion on 304L austenitic stainless steel

This experimental work was aimed at investigating the ability of acoustic emission (AE) technique for detection and monitoring of crevice corrosion on 304L austenitic stainless steel. Crevice initiation, propagation and repassivation was controlled by additions of hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid and by the extent of the applied torque of crevice assembly, in the presence of chloride ions. The simultaneous measurements of corrosion potential of the specimen and AE global activity during the test, as well as the characterization of acoustic parameters of AE signals, evidences a good correlation between potential and AE activity fluctuations, AE rate and amplitude of crevice damage in terms of weight loss and metallic surface affected, in each tested experimental condition. Moreover, the evolution of cumulative% of AE signals number versus selected acoustic parameters shows that rise time, counts number, duration and cumulative energy of AE signals are affected by crevice development. Finally, visualization of crevice initiation and propagation during the test allows to propose that bubbles formation from cathodic reactions within the crevice is the emissive mechanism.     

Effect of nitrogen on crevice corrosion in austenitic stainless steel

Corrosion properties of high nitrogen austenitic steels in chloride solutions have been investigated. Nitrogen behavior was evaluated at various electrode potentials, and analysis of the surface film was carried out with XPS. The alloy used for the experiments had a composition of 23%Cr-4%Ni-0-1%Mo-0.7-1%N and was obtained through electro-slag remelting (ESR) under high nitrogen pressure. High nitrogen austenitic steel produced in the solution by crevice corrosion under a constant potential of 0.2 V (SCE). In the transpassive region and at 0.7 V (SCE), the products in the solution were , and . The amount of dissolved and increased with the electrode potential. in the solution suppressed decreases of pH, having a re-passivation effect. For crevice corrosion under a higher electrode potential than 0.4 V (SCE), the number of crevice corrosion points and the corrosion loss decreased as the electrode potential increased. This behavior can be attributed to the corrosion suppressing effect of dissolved in the solution as a product of crevice corrosion. The presence of chromium and iron oxides in the passivation film and crevice corrosion surface film were identified from XPS analysis. N 1s spectra indicated the presence of a nitride (CrN) or NH₃.