Pitting and stress corrosion cracking behavior in welded austenitic stainless steel

The effect of microstructural changes in 304 austenitic stainless steel induced by the processes of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and laser-beam welding (LBW) on the pitting and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviors was investigated. According to the in situ observations with scanning reference electrode technique (SRET) and the breakdown potentials of the test material with various microstructures, the GTAW process made the weld metal (WM) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) more sensitive to pitting corrosion than base metal (BM), but the LBW process improved the pitting resistance of the WM. In the initiation stage of SCC, the cracks in the BM and HAZ propagated in a transgranular mode. Then, the crack growth mechanism changed gradually into a mixed transgranular + intergranular mode. The cracks in the WM were likely to propagate along the dendritic boundaries. The crack initiation rate, crack initiation lifetime and crack propagation rate indicated that the high-to-low order of SCC resistance is almost the same as that for pitting resistance. High heat-input (and low cooling rate) was likely to induce the segregation of alloying elements and formation of Cr-depleted zones, resulting in the degradation in the corrosion resistance.     

Single pit initiation on 316L austenitic stainless steel using scanning electrochemical microscopy

Scanning electrochemical microscopy was used to locally release a controlled amount of chloride ions close to a 316L austenitic stainless steel (SS) substrate in sulphuric acid medium to generate a single pit. Then, usual electrochemical techniques were applied for studying the early stages of pit initiation and propagation. The amount of chloride ions needed to reach the requisite threshold concentration for pit initiation was determined. It was found to be higher for SS than for pure iron. The amount of dissolved cations was also determined as a function of the substrate potential. Different pit shapes and depths were observed depending on the potential applied to the substrate. Following the pit repassivation, it was observed that a part of the dissolved products precipitated at the bottom of the pit.     

Atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry applied to dealloying phenomena: I. The formation and dissolution of residual copper films on stainless steel

The rates of elemental dissolution were measured for a 304 stainless steel containing 0.19% Cu in real time during linear sweep voltammetry experiments using the atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry (AESEC) method. The results demonstrate that Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Mo dissolve simultaneously leaving a residual copper film that inhibits the steel dissolution. The formation and dissolution of the copper film leads to the appearance of two peaks in the anodic dissolution transient, one due to inhibition of steel by residual copper and the other due to the formation of the passive film. The addition of NaCl to the electrolyte results in a marked increase in the intensity of the second dissolution peak, while hardly affecting the first peak. This is interpreted in terms of the lowering of copper dissolution potential by chloride ions due to the stabilization of CuCl₂⁻. A simple phenomenological kinetic model is used to simulate the variation of dissolution rate with potential.     

塑性变形对奥氏体不锈钢强度影响实验研究

从双向拉伸应变角度出发,对304不锈钢的应变强化特点进行了实验研究,得出了实验条件下,不同的塑性变形膜片在250℃下的爆破压力变化特点,同时考察了塑性变形温度对应变强化的影响和消除应变强化的温度。     

Nickel-free manganese bearing stainless steel in alkaline media—Electrochemistry and surface chemistry

The use of austenitic nickel-containing stainless steels as concrete reinforcement offers excellent corrosion protection for concrete structures in harsh chloride bearing environments but is often limited due to the very high costs of these materials. Manganese bearing nickel-free stainless steels can be a cost-effective alternative for corrosion resistant reinforcements. Little, however, is known about the electrochemistry and even less on surface chemistry of these materials in alkaline media simulating concrete pore solutions. In this work a combined electrochemical (ocp = open circuit potential) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) surface analytical investigation on the austenitic manganese bearing DIN 1.4456 (X8CrMnMoN18-18-2) stainless steel immersed into 0.1 M NaOH and more complex alkaline concrete pore solutions was performed. The results show that the passive film composition changes with immersion time, being progressively enriched in chromium oxy-hydroxide becoming similar to the conventional nickel-containing stainless steels. The composition of the metal interface beneath the passive film is strongly depleted in manganese and enriched in iron; chromium has nearly the nominal composition. The results are discussed regarding the film growth mechanism (ageing) of the new nickel-free stainless steel in alkaline solutions compared to traditional austenitic steels. Combining the results from pitting potential measurements with the composition of the passive film and the underlying metal interface, it can be concluded that the resistance against localized corrosion of the new nickel-free stainless steel relies on the strong chromium(III) and molybdenum (VI) oxy-hydroxide enrichment in the passive film.     

Study of the adsorption of proteins on stainless steel surfaces using QCM-D

Stainless steel is widely used in a number of industries, ranging from food and dairy to pharmaceuticals. However, fouling associated with protein adsorption constitutes a main issue in such industries, as it decreases the efficiency of stainless steel process equipment and leads to an increase in operational costs due to the need for regular cleaning. In this study, to understand the underlying adsorption phenomena and to identify the mechanisms associated with bio-fouling, adsorption of a set of proteins on 316 grade stainless steel surfaces was studied. Eleven proteins with varying physicochemical properties were tested. The proteins consisted of milk proteins, blood proteins and commercially available proteins. Adsorption experiments were carried out on stainless steel sensors using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation at a temperature of 22 °C. The adsorption characteristics of the test proteins were studied and an empirical correlation relating the amount of protein adsorbed to their physical properties is proposed.     

奥氏体不锈钢在Cl~-介质中应力腐蚀研究

评述了奥氏体不锈钢在氯化物介质中应力腐蚀开裂。从环境、冶金和力学等方面论述了ＳＣＣ的主要因素,综合论述了控制奥氏体不锈钢ＳＣＣ的工程参量和安全评定的方法。提出了预防奥氏体不锈钢应力腐蚀的一些措施。     

Pit formation on stainless steel surfaces pre-treated with biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens

Today, it is widely established that the surface tension of water can be reduced by some microorganisms capable of synthesizing surface-active compounds called biosurfactants (BS). BS characteristics depend on the microorganism that produces them and therefore, on the microorganism culture conditions.Some studies on chemical surfactants have shown that the adsorption of surface-active compounds plays a major role in corrosion; indeed they are used as a good corrosion inhibition tool.The purpose of this study was first, to estimate the importance and behavior of the stainless steels passive film on the adsorption of BS, produced by the Gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens, and secondly, to study the impact of these treatments on the pitting corrosion.In this paper, the galvanostatic polarization technique, used as accelerated method for determining the characteristic pit potentials on stainless steels, is examined. Pit growth, shape and cover formation were also observed. The surface topography of the corroded specimens was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).     

Influence of surface treatment on the durability of stainless steel sheets bonded with epoxy

Fifteen different surface treatments were used to bond AISI 304 stainless steel. The objectives of the programme were to select treatments able to produce durable adhesive bonds and to contribute to the understanding of interface bonding phenomena and of phenomena responsible for debonding while ageing. Peel and sheer tests were carried out to assess the behaviour of the bonded joints at the initial state and after ageing. The test results indicate that only two treatments, sulphuric chromic acid anodization and nitric acid anodization, exhibit a high performance level after exposure to a moist environment. The chemical and physical properties of surfaces were determined. The surface morphology was observed with a scanning electron microscope, and chemical composition was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. A correlation between bond durability, surface morphology, and oxide film composition was established.     

Surface and electrochemical characterization of pitting corrosion behaviour of 304 stainless steel in ground water media

The effectiveness of aminotrimethylidene phosphonic acid (ATMP) as a corrosion inhibitor in association with a bivalent cation like Zn²⁺ and non-ionic surfactant like polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) were investigated by measuring corrosion losses using electrochemical techniques. The corrosion of 304 stainless steel in the ground water medium was inhibited by complexation of the inhibitor. A combined inhibition effect was achieved by adding both ATMP and Zn²⁺ along with Tween 80. The formulation functioned as a mixed type inhibitor. The synergistic effect of the inhibitor compound is calculated. Luminescence spectra, FTIR spectra, XRD, XPS and scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to understand the mode of corrosion inhibition and also the morphological changes on the metal surface.     

奥氏体不锈钢设备的化学清洗和钝化

从奥氏体不锈钢的钝化机理入手,分析了钝化膜存在的意义、破坏机理和防护措施,给出了参考的清洗钝化剂配方、清洗钝化工艺、操作注意事项,明确了奥氏体不锈钢钝化膜质量的检验方法。     

Electrochemical behaviour of passive films on molybdenum-containing austenitic stainless steels in aqueous solutions

Passivation and its breakdown reactions have been studied on Mo-containing stainless steel specimens using different electrochemical techniques. Mo-containing stainless steel specimens were polarized in both naturally aerated NaCl and Na₂SO₄ solutions of different concentrations at 25 ± 0.2 °C between −1000 and 1500 mV versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE). The results of potentiodynamic polarization showed that i_corr and i_c increases with increasing either Cl⁻ or SO₄²⁻ concentration indicating the decrease in passivity of the formed film. EIS measurements under open circuit conditions confirmed that the passivity of the film decrease with increase in either Cl⁻ or SO₄²⁻ concentration.     

Atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry applied to dealloying phenomena II. Selective dissolution of iron and chromium during active-passive cycles of an austenitic stainless steel

Atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry was used to investigate selective dissolution of a 304 austenitic stainless steel sample in 2 M H₂SO₄. The partial dissolution rates of Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo, and Cu were measured as function of time during a series of potentiostatic triggered activation/passivation cycles. When first exposed to sulfuric acid solution, the steel sample was in a passive state with a total steady state ionic dissolution rate expressed as an equivalent current density of 10 μA cm⁻². A transition into the active and passive state could be triggered by cathodic (−700 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) and anodic (+400 to +700 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) potentiostatic pulses respectively of variable time. Excess Cr dissolution was observed during the activation cycle as compared to Fe and a depletion of Cr dissolution was observed during the passivation cycle. These results are interpreted in terms of the dissolution of a Cr rich passive layer during activation and selective dissolution of Fe, Mn, Ni and other elements to form a Cr rich passive layer during passivation. Quantitative analysis of the excess Cr showed that the residual film contained approximately 0.38 μg Cr/cm². Fe does not appear to be incorporated into the film at this early stage of passive film growth. Residual films of metallic nickel and copper were formed on the surface during the active period that subsequently dissolved during passivation.     

不锈钢膜技术处理高浓度乳化废水的研究

采用不锈钢金属膜(以下简称不锈钢膜)分离技术处理乳化废液。在实验研究中,探讨了各参数对处理效果的影响,着重考察了压力、膜孔径、浓缩倍数、进水浓度等各影响因素对COD去除效果的影响,由此确定适合的运行条件,最佳工艺参数为:膜孔径选定为0.1μm,最佳操作压力为0.35MPa,最佳操作温度为45℃;经过不锈钢膜过滤和纳滤处理后的乳化废液具有良好的可生化性,适合采用生化方法做进一步处理。     

Selective synthesis of diamond and CNT nanostructures directly on stainless steel substrates

Without surface pretreatment or applying additional interlayer, diamond films have been directly synthesized on an Fe-25Cr-5Al steel substrate by a hot filament chemical vapor deposition method from an H₂-1vol.% CH₄ gas mixture. Due to an effective removal of intermediate graphite phase from the diamond-steel interface, the coated diamond films were continuous and adherent well to the steel substrate. Aligned conical diamond structures were also achieved on this steel substrate by negatively biasing the substrate holder and inducing a glow discharge. The deposition behavior of carbon on Fe-Cr-Ni steel substrate was different. A graphite-rich carbon film incorporated with diamond particles grew in the absence of biasing, then aligned carbon nanotube bundles were formed in the presence of negative biasing and glow discharge. The different deposition behavior of carbon on the two kinds of steel substrates was addressed in terms of the effect of their chemical compositions.     

硝化锅不锈钢蛇管腐蚀的原因与对策

针对硝基苯装置硝化锅换热蛇管腐蚀的原因进行了讨论与分析,提出了防止措施和改进意见。     

Corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steels as a function of pH for use as bipolar plates in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Stainless steels (types 304 and 310S) were employed as bipolar plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. For the cell operation, the decayed cell voltage was approximately 22 mV for the type 310S stainless steel after 1000 h operation, while that for type 304 stainless steel was about 46 mV. Corrosion products appeared on the cathode side bipolar plate for the type 304 stainless steel, while trace of corrosion was barely detected for type 310S stainless steel. In order to follow the pH on the bipolar plates during fuel cell operation, polarization tests were carried out for the type 310S stainless steel in synthetic solutions (0.05 M SO₄²⁻ (pH 1.2-5.5) + 2 ppm F⁻) as a function of pH (1.2-5.5) at 353 K. We also examined the contact resistance between the stainless steel and carbon diffusion layer before and after polarization. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analyses were carried out for comparison of the surface states of the steels after the polarization tests and cell operation. In the synthetic solutions with lower pHs (≤3.3), the films were thinner and were mainly composed by enriched with chromium oxide. Whereas, they mainly consisted of relatively thick iron oxide when the solution pH was higher (≥4.3). XPS analyses for the bipolar plate of type 310S stainless steel on cathode side after cell operation demonstrated pH gradient on the plate, that is, the thicker iron-rich surfaces presented relatively higher pH from the gas inlet to center area, and the thinner chromium-rich surface appeared with lower pH around the gas outlet.     

Influence of nanocrystallization on pitting corrosion behavior of an austenitic stainless steel by stochastic approach and in situ AFM analysis

The pitting corrosion behavior of an austenitic stainless steel nanocrystalline (NC) coating, fabricated by magnetron sputtering as well as that of the conventional polycrystalline (PC) alloy have been investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution by stochastic approach and in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results indicate that the pitting corrosion resistance of the NC coating was much higher than that of the PC alloy with higher prevalence of metastable pits and lower rates of stable pit nucleation and growth. The influence of nanocrystallization on the pit initiation and pit growth processes has been discussed according to the in situ AFM observations.     

Reduction process of uranium(IV) and uranium(III) in molten fluorides

This study focused on the electroreduction process of uranium cations in molten fluorides. It involved cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry with and without current reversal, and square wave voltammetry.The results indicate a two-step reduction process for uranium(IV). The first step U(IV)/U(III) exchanging one electron corresponds to a soluble/soluble system and is limited by U(IV) diffusion with D_U(IV) = 1.25 ± 0.35 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ in LiF-NaF at 720 °C.In order to perform a thorough study of the second step U(III)/U(0) in the reduction process, the melt was chemically reduced in U(III) with U metal as reducing agent. Alternatively to the use of LiF-NaF where U metal is unstable at 720 °C, the chemical reduction of U(IV) in U(III) was performed in a LiF-CaF₂-UF₄ solution containing U metal at 810 °C. It has been confirmed that the reduction of U(III) proceeds in one step exchanging three electrons and by a diffusion controlled process with D_U(III) = 2.2 ± 0.7 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ in LiF-CaF₂ at 810 °C.