Improvement of pitting corrosion resistance of AISI 444 stainless steel to make it a possible substitute for AISI 304L and 316L in hot natural waters

The pitting corrosion resistance of AISI 444, 304L and 316L stainless steels in two tap waters with different chloride concentrations at 80 °C was studied. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP) tests were carried out starting from E_corr ? 30 mV until the current density reached 0.1 mA/cm² (scan rate 0.166 mV/s); the scan was then reversed and continued until new passivity conditions were achieved. The corrosion potential was measured before the polarization experiments. From the E‐log i plots, the values of pitting and protection potential were obtained; from these potentials, the perfect and the imperfect passivity regions were defined to compare the corrosion resistance of the studied steels. CPP tests were performed both on as received stainless steel samples and on samples submitted to different cleaning–passivation treatments to improve their corrosion resistance. The results indicate that, for industrial production, AISI 444 stainless steel can substitute the more expensive AISI 304L or 316L after a cleaning–passivation treatment that reduces the presence of inclusions.

     

Fatigue behaviour of low temperature carburised AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel

Low temperature carburising (LTC) was applied to AISI316L austenitic stainless steel and its effect on microstructure and fatigue behaviour was investigated. LTC treatment enhances surface hardness and wear resistance of the steel without reducing its corrosion resistance. Surface hardness up to 1150 Vickers was achieved in the carburised layer, thanks to the formation of the so-called “S-phase”, a carbon-supersaturated austenite phase. The XRD evaluation of treated material verified expanded austenite with no evidence of carbide precipitation. Rotating bending fatigue tests showed that the low temperature carburising treatment enhances the fatigue strength of the 316L steel by 40% with respect to the untreated material due to the high residual stresses present in the treated layer. A major temperature increase was found testing the LTC specimens, with a peak value at the end of the test up to 600 °C. By air cooling the LTC specimens during the tests, a further increase of fatigue strength up to 70% was achieved with respect to the untreated material. Fatigue cracks in the surface-treated specimens always nucleated near the boundary between the carburised case and the core.     

Determination of susceptibility to intergranular corrosion and electrochemical reactivation behaviour of AISI 316L type stainless steel

In this study, double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (DLEPR) test was applied to determine the degree of sensitization in 316L type stainless steel, where obtained results were correlated with revealed microstructures after oxalic acid test and weight loss measurements of Streicher and Huey acid tests. Best agreement was provided with test parameters which are 1 M H₂SO₄ and 0.005 M KSCN at 0.833 mV/s scan rate at 30 °C. Specimens were classified structurally as absence of chromium carbides - step, no single grain completely surrounded by carbides - dual and one or more grain completely surrounded by carbides - ditch, in the as-etched structure, if the I_r:I_a (×100) ratios were obtained to be between 0 and 0.2, 0.2 and 5.0 and 5.0 and higher, respectively. It was also found that at high KSCN concentrations, reactivation current profile skewed to higher potentials where this was attributed the formation of metastable pits, during the anodic scan of the test procedure.     

Towards attaining dissimilar lap joint of CuCrZr alloy and 316L stainless steel using friction stir welding

CuCrZr alloy (Cu-0.8wt-%Cr-0.1wt-%Zr) and 316L stainless steel (Fe-0.03wt-%C-16wt-%Cr-10wt-%Ni) plates were successfully friction stir lap welded resulting in significant mechanical mixing of the two matrix elements, Cu and Fe, in the stir zone. The severe mixing not only led to improved load bearing response but also leads to form Cu-rich and Fe-rich regions in the weld nugget. The formation of these phases governs the failure mechanism of the joint. Tensile properties of the weld showed promising response when compared with joints made for the similar alloy pair by other welding techniques. This suggests strong feasibility of applying FSW for joining Cu and steel for nuclear applications.     

Electrochemical and XPS studies of AISI 316L stainless steel after electropolishing in a magnetic field

The thermodynamic stability and corrosion resistance of surface oxide layer are the most important features of stainless steels. Electrochemical polishing (EP) is the most extensively used surface technology for austenitic stainless steels. We have modified this surface technology by introducing a magnetic field to the system. With this new process called the magnetoelectropolishing (MEP) we can improve metal surface properties by making the stainless steel more resistant to halides encountered in a variety of environments.In this paper, the corrosion research results are presented on the behaviour of the most commonly used material - medical grade AISI 316L stainless steel. The corrosion investigations have been concerned on the open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and polarisation curves studies in the Ringer’s body fluid under room temperature (25 °C). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed on 316L samples after three treatments: MP - abrasive polishing (800 grit size), EP - conventional electrolytic polishing, and MEP - magnetoelectropolishing. The comparison of the corrosion behaviour of the stainless steel’s surface after these processes was also carried out. The purpose of XPS studies was to reveal the surface film composition and the reason of this modified corrosion behaviour. It has been found that the proposed MEP process modifies considerably the composition of the surface film and improves the corrosion resistance of the same 316L SS studied.     

马氏体和奥氏体不锈钢TIG焊端接接头失效分析

针对船舶设备采用的马氏体和奥氏体不锈钢钨极氩弧焊焊接接头的泄漏问题,采用光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察、显微硬度测定等方法,分析了1Cr17Ni2马氏体不锈钢和1Cr18Ni9Ti奥氏体不锈钢焊接接头各个区域的组织变化和硬度分布.结果表明,在1Cr17Ni2一侧的热影响区紧邻焊缝部位,铁素体受热作用明显长大,显微硬度较低,在热影响区的较高温度区,快冷得到高硬度马氏体,该区断口呈典型的解理与准解理脆性断口,成为焊接接头的薄弱地带,容易产生裂纹导致泄漏.还分析了接头失效的其它原因并提出了改进措施.     

Intensified plasma-assisted nitriding of AISI 316L stainless steel

In the present study, processing of AISI 316L stainless steel (316ss) has been conducted by intensified plasma-assisted processing (IPAP). The processing parameters (bias voltage, current density, chamber pressure and substrate temperature) of IPAP have been varied in an effort to determine which conditions lead to the formation of a single-phase structure, ‘m’ phase, and evaluate the properties of this phase. The structural characteristics of the nitrided layers produced by IPAP have been investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. Nanoindentation experiments have been performed over cross-section to determine hardness and elastic modulus profiles. Dry sliding wear and potentiodynamic aqueous corrosion experiments have been conducted to characterize 316ss nitrided by IPAP. IPAP has been successful in producing single-phase m with high hardness and in shorter processing time compared to diode plasma nitriding. The IPAP produced single-phase nitrided layer was found to possess higher hardness (fourfold increase over the unprocessed alloy), excellent wear and corrosion resistance.     

阀门球芯316L不锈钢小空间TIG焊接工艺

采用填丝的TIG焊接方法对不锈钢球芯流道口进行小空间全位置自动焊接。通过设计可进行小空间作业的TIG焊枪,配合送丝机气保托罩紫铜散热夹与小车行走装置,搭建自动化焊接平台。在阀门球芯的小空间内多重氩气保护下,开展不锈钢球芯流道口V形焊缝的焊接。焊前清理焊缝及周围区域的杂质油污,焊接时使用高纯氩进行严格的惰性气氛保护,获得各项性能均符合技术要求的焊缝。焊后对焊缝区域进行微观组织和力学性能的测试评定,分析缺陷的产生及原因,并改善焊接工艺参数。测试焊缝、热影响区附近及母材位置的硬度,绘制相应的工艺曲线,获得最佳的工艺参数组合。     

Corrosion behaviour of 316L stainless steel manufactured by selective laser melting

This work investigates the electrochemical behaviour of an AISI 316L stainless steel produced by selective laser melting (SLM) and compares its behaviour with that of wrought stainless steel with similar chemical composition. The SLM stainless steel specimens are tested in the as‐produced condition without stress relief or recrystallization heat treatments. The electrochemical tests are carried out in two electrolytes: 3.5 wt% NaCl solution with neutral pH and with pH of 1.8. At the macroscale, the microstructure of the SLM specimens is determined by the laser scanning pattern and displays an overlapping network of melt pools. At the microscale, the SLM specimens exhibit a cellular/columnar dendritic structure with submicrometric cell size. Electrochemical measurements highlight a more extended passive range for SLM stainless steel in both neutral and acid electrolytes indicating higher protective properties of the oxide film on SLM specimens. In contrast to the wrought material, the refined microstructure of the SLM specimens promotes a very shallow morphology of attack without deep penetration in the bulk.     

Sintering response of austenitic (316L) and ferritic (434L) stainless steel consolidated in conventional and microwave furnaces

This study compares the effect of heating mode on the densification, microstructure, strength and hardness of austenitic and ferritic stainless steel. The compacts were sintered in a radiatively heated (conventional) and a 2.45 GHz microwave furnace. Both 316L and 434L compacts couple with microwaves and heat up to the sintering temperature rapidly (45 °C/min). The overall processing time was reduced by about 90% through microwave sintering. While the microwave sintered compacts exhibit a finer microstructure, there is no corresponding improvement in densification and mechanical properties. This has been correlated with elongated and irregular pore structure.     

Study of the corrosion resistance and in vitro biocompatibility of PVD TiCN-coated AISI 316 L austenitic stainless steel for orthopedic applications

The aim of the present work was to study the corrosion resistance in Hanks' solution and the in vitro biocompatibility of a TiCN-coated AISI 316 L stainless steel. The electrochemical behavior was assessed using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests were performed to evaluate the potential biocompatibility of the specimens. TiCN morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bare 316 L specimens were also evaluated for comparison. The results showed that the film morphology strongly influences the electrochemical behavior of the coated underlying metal. TiCN-coated specimens presented neither cytotoxicity nor genotoxicity.     

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.     

Effect of sulfur and oxygen on weld penetration of high-purity austenitic stainless steels

Convective flow during arc welding depends upon the surface tension gradient (dy/dT, Marangoni flow), buoyancy, arc drag force, electromagnetic force, shielding gas, and the viscosity of the melt. The Marangoni and the buoyancy-driven flow are the major factors in controlling weld penetration in ferrous alloys, especially austenitic stainless steels such as 304 and 316. Small variations in the concentration of surfactants, such as sulfur and oxygen, in stainless steels cause significant changes in the weld penetration and depth/width (D/W) ratio of the fusion zone. Gas-tungsten arc (GTA) welds were done on low- and high-sulfur 304 and 316 heats using pure argon and argon/oxygen shielding gases. Also, laser beam (LB) welds were done on the 304 and 316 heats using pure argon as the shielding gas. Increase in the sulfur content decreased the D/W ratio for the GTA 304 welds using pure argon, but for the case of LB 304 welds the results were the opposite. For the GTA 316 welds and LB 316 welds, increase in sulfur increased the D/W ratio of the fusion zone. Oxygen increased the D/W ratio of both the 304 and 316 GTA welds.     

Unmixing behaviour in dissimilar laser welds for duplex and austenitic stainless steels

ABSTRACT

Metallurgical characteristics of single-mode laser dissimilar welds between super duplex (UNS S32750) and austenitic (type 316L) stainless steels is the existence of an unmixed zone that originates from each base metal. It was confirmed that the unmixed zone that flowed out from the 316L had the microstructural morphology of primary austenite with secondary δ-ferrite solidification mode, while the morphology of a δ-ferrite single phase solidification mode was observed within the unmixed zone that flowed out from the S32750. Furthermore, it could be speculated that each unmixed zone that flowed out from 316L and S32750 coexisted independently in terms of crystallographic aspect (orientation distribution function and predominant orientation relationship) analysed by electron backscatter diffraction.     

316L不锈钢管道免充氩打底焊

针对316L不锈钢小口径管道打底过程中的背面保护问题,分别采用熔化极气体保护焊配合相应的药芯焊丝打底并盖面,以及钨极氩弧焊配合药芯焊丝打底+焊条电弧焊盖面两种焊接方法,对规格为φ108 mm×10 mm的316L不锈钢管道进行对接焊.并分别对焊接接头进行射线检测、金相观察、力学性能检测及抗晶间腐蚀性能检测.结果表明,使用药芯焊丝对小口径316L不锈钢管道进行焊接时管内不充氩气可以达到实用要求.     

AISI 316不锈钢和Ti6Al4V合金在海水环境中的腐蚀与腐蚀磨损行为(英文)

采用立式万能销盘腐蚀磨损试验机研究AISI 316不锈钢和Ti6Al4V合金在海水中与Al2O3陶瓷对磨时的腐蚀与腐蚀磨损行为,重点讨论腐蚀磨损之间的交互作用。结果表明,摩擦作用使得Ti6Al4V合金和316不锈钢的开路电位大幅下降,腐蚀磨损过程中的电流密度远高于静态腐蚀时的电流密度,摩擦明显促进了合金的腐蚀。两种合金在海水中的磨损量远大于在纯水中的磨损量,腐蚀促进了磨损,并且Ti6Al4V合金的耐磨性优于316不锈钢的耐磨性,腐蚀磨损之间的交互作用是材料损失的一个重要因素。本实验所用的摩擦装置为单向滑动的面面接触方式,这使得摩擦对腐蚀的促进作用在总磨损量中所占的比例很小。     

奥氏体不锈钢316L在ECAP过程中的组织演化及力学性能

对奥氏体不锈钢316L进行等效应变为1.02的6道次室温等通道挤压(ECAP)试验。结果表明,在ECAP挤压过程中316L发生了剪切滑移变形和孪生变形及晶粒碎化,经过4和6道次挤压后分别得到平均晶粒尺寸约80 nm和约61 nm的均匀分布的等轴晶粒。在1道次ECAP挤压后316L的抗拉强度由674 MPa增加到984 MPa, 规定塑性延伸强度则由594 MPa增加到922 MPa,维氏显微硬度由116.33 HV增加到328.31 HV,但是塑性下降严重,可以通过600 ℃后续退火处理进行改善。     

Corrosion of a 316L stainless steel in a gaseous environment polluted with HCl: Mechanism

The corrosion of a 316L stainless steel (SS) exposed to a humid gas flow polluted with HCl has been studied. The mixture is carried out in a reactor connected to two gas feedthroughs: one with wet air and one with HCl(g). The corrosion mechanism comprehension is based on several steps. The presence of humid air polluted by HCl involves the creation of a precursor film that can evolve to droplet formation. In contact with this acid and chloride concentrated electrolyte, the 316L SS corrodes producing soluble ferrous chloride. This corrosion product can evolve to the oxide formation, depending of the HCl concentration. For high concentrations, 316L SS corrodes uniformly. However, this phenomenon is accompanied by pits when the HCl concentration is not sufficient or the HCl flow is not continuous. The particularity of the corrosion mechanisms is shown as well as the problems using materials in an HCl-polluted gaseous environment.