Pitting,Crevice and stress corrosion resistance of high chromium und molybdenum alloy stainless steels

This paper presents new data on the resistance of recently developed high-alloy stainless steels to localised corrosion in chloride solutions. Pitting potential was determined in artificial sea water, and critical pitting temperature CPT in very aggressive FeCl₃ solution. Critical crevice corrosion temperature CCT was tested in the same FeCl₃ solution. Stress corrosion measurements, made in a more familiar NaCl solution by the drop evaporation method, demonstrate that alloy stainless steels with high chromium and molybdenum have very long failure times, comparable with those of nickel alloys found to be SCC-resistant under practical conditions. Stainless steels of 20 Cr 25 Ni 6 Mo type showed the best resistance to localised corrosion.     

Corrosion behaviour of Lotus-type porous high nitrogen nickel-free stainless steels

Corrosion behaviour of three austenitic Lotus-type porous high nitrogen Ni-free stainless steels exposed to an acidic chloride solution has been investigated by electrochemical tests and weight loss measurements. Polarization resistance indicates that the corrosion rate of Lotus-type porous high nitrogen Ni-free stainless steels is an order of magnitude lower than that of Lotus-type porous 316L stainless steel in acidic environment. The localised corrosion resistance of the investigated high nitrogen Ni-free stainless steels, measured as pitting potential, E_b, also resulted to be higher than that of type 316L stainless steel. The influences of porous structure, surface finish and nitrogen addition on the corrosion behaviour were discussed.     

Electrochemical study of corrosion-abrasion of stainless steels in phosphoric acids

Abstract

The corrosion-abrasion behaviour of several types of stainless steel in phosphoric acid has been studied using electrochemical techniques. The depassivation action of the abrasive was shown to depend on the nature of the material and on the aggressiveness of the medium. In particular, the existence of a synergy between the abrasive and the impurities (chloride and sulphuric acid) in the phosphoric acids was demonstrated. It was found that abrasion enhances localised corrosion. The effect of molybdenum, tungsten, and copper content on the behaviour of stainless steels under corrosion-abrasion conditions was also examined. It appears that molybdenum additions have the most beneficial effect on the corrosion-abrasion resistance of stainless steels in phosphoric acids.     

Corrosion performance of titanium and titanium stabilised stainless steels

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys provide industry with a number of materials which are strong, light, and very corrosion resistant. In addition, titanium is added as an alloying constituent to some stainless steels to act as a stabiliser during welding. Over the past 30 years titanium alloys have been increasingly used in process industries, and wherever ‘nil corrosion’ is considered to be an essential design feature. The main drawback to titanium usage has been relatively high cost, but freedom from plant corrosion failures, reduced downtime for maintenance, and the increasing availability of titanium have made this metal and its alloys an attractive choice in recent years. Applications include process vessels, heat exchangers, marine fittings, offshore components, pump castings, and other applications where materials encounter a hostile service environment. Nevertheless, titanium and its alloys are still subject to some forms of corrosiveattack, such as galvanic corrosion, hydrogen absorption, erosion corrosion, and crevicecorrosion. Special welding procedures are also required, which, if ignored, can lead toserious problems. This paper outlines a number of recent investigations into some problems encountered in industrial and marine environments, where both titanium metal and titanium stabilised stainless steels have suffered unexpected corrosion attack. The case histories described illustrate that titanium may show unexpected corrosion problems if certain aspects of its corrosion behaviour are overlooked.     

Corrosion of stainless steels in marine conditions containing sulphate reducing bacteria

Abstract

The corrosion behaviour of a range of austenitic and duplex stainless steels has been studied in sea water containing sulphate reducing bacteria under conditions where the influence of an external aerated steel surface is absent. By means of a combination of anodic polarisation, cathodic polarisation, galvanic coupling experiments, microscopy, and microanalysis, the complex corrosion behaviour has been rationalised. It has been demonstrated that severe corrosion, involving a number of localised and general features, can occur in the low oxygen conditions, and good correlation has been obtained between accelerated electrochemical tests and long term corrosion occurring without the intervention of electrochemical monitoring.     

Pitting and crevice corrosion behaviour of high alloy stainless steels in chloride‐fluoride solutions

The localised corrosion resistance (pitting and crevice corrosion) of two high alloy stainless steels, namely superduplex (SD) and superaustenitic (SA), has been studied in chloride‐fluoride solutions at pH values ranging from 2 to 6.5. The pitting potential (E_pit) and crevice potential (E_cre) have been calculated for these test media using electrochemical techniques (continuous current). The Critical Pitting Temperature (CPT) and Critical Crevice Temperature (CCT) are in both materials lower then the room temperature. In spite of this fact and due to the high repassivation rate, the resistance of these materials to localised corrosion is high in the tested media. At the highest tested concentration of aggressive anions and pH 6.5 both materials undergo a generalised attack.     

Stainless steel thread forming screws and their susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking

Abstract

Thread forming fasteners incorporate both drilling and hole tapping features and are commonly used in the construction industry to fix together steel sheets of different material types. With this practical application in mind, fasteners manufactured from martensitic and austenitic stainless steels have been subjected to alternating corrosion conditions in accordance with test standards DIN 50021-SS and DIN 50018-K WF 2·0. The torque applied to the screws during these tests was controlled to place the fasteners under equal tensile loads, independent of their tensile strength. Thus, the results provided information on their relative susceptibilities to stress corrosion cracking. At the end of the tests, up to 80% of the martensitic stainless steel drilling and tapping screws had failed due to hydrogen induced stress corrosion cracking. The fasteners manufactured from austenitic materials withstood identical test conditions without any evidence of cracking or crack initiation. It is concluded that fasteners manufactured from modified martensitic stainless steel are more susceptible to stress corrosion cracking under the conditions of test than those made from cold worked austenitic stainless steels. This suggests that in practical applications the potential for catastrophic failure due to stress corrosion cracking could be considerably higher in modified martensitic fasteners in comparison with austenitic stainless steel fasteners, including those with hardened carbon steel drill points.     

Study of ‘deposit corrosion’ of Stainless Steels in Aggressive Atmospheres

Abstract

Exposure experiments in the presence of deposited matter were carried out with the aim of developing laboratory techniques for simulating corrosion conditions of stainless steels under atmospheric dusts. The tests were made on austenitic steels in salt-spray and in atmospheres contaminated with sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide with and without sodium chloride present in the deposits. Carbon black, activated carbon, granulated graphite and silica powder were used as dusts. While no localised corrosion resulted under silica, all carbonaceous materials, in the presence of chloride ions, produced steel pitting in the following order of increasing severity: AISI 316 < 304 < 302. Hydrogen sulphide also led to localised attacks under carbon deposits in the absence of chloride ions.

Some potential measurements on specimens of the AISI Types 304, 316, 430 and 410, while exposed in a salt-spray cabinet, showed that carbon deposits caused a definite potential shift in the positive direction on all but the martensitic Type 410, suggesting that pitting may be induced by the potential-raising catalytic action of carbon on the cathodic reduction of oxygen.     

Behaviour of stainless steel in simulated concrete pore solution

Abstract

The localised corrosion behaviour of austenitic, martensitic, and duplex stainless steels has been studied in several solutions simulating the liquid present in the pores of both alkaline and carbonated concrete in the presence of chloride ions. The work aimed to evaluate the suitability of these types of stainless steel as rebars in reinforced concrete structures exposed to very aggressive environments. Electrochemical tests have been performed in solutions with pH values in the range 7·6-13·9, chloride concentration in the range 0-10%, and temperatures of 20 and 40°C. The adverse effect of a decrese in pH on the critical chloride content is discussed, as a function of stainless steel composition and temperature, and the inhibitive effect of high carbonate/bicarbonate concentrations is also shown.     

Enhancing the localised corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel via FBR-CVD chromising treatment

The resistance of stainless steels to localised corrosion can be adversely affected by environmental and metallurgical heterogeneities existed in complex industrial infrastructures such as seawater desalination plants exposed to aggressive evnironments. It is therefore critical to enhance the localised corrosion resistance and understand the corrosion behaviour of stainless steels in complex and aggressive industrial environmental conditions. In this work, the localised corrosion resistance of chromised stainless steel 316L (SS316L) in simulated seawater desalination systems has been investigated by electrochemical and surface analytical techniques. It has been found that chromising processes have improved the localised corrosion resistance of SS316L by reducing its susceptibility to pitting, crevice, and welding zone corrosion in simulated seawater desalination environments. This increased corrosion resistance has been explained by electrochemical polarisation studies and surface analysis showing that the chromising treatment at 1050°C resulted in a continuous and stable chromium-enriched layer on the SS316L surface.     

Electrochemical synthesis of ferritic stainless steels alloyed with 1 wt-%Ti,V and Nb in sulphuric acid solution

Abstract

Corrosion behaviours of stainless steel alloys containing corrosion resistant elements were investigated. Ferritic stainless steel electrodes were synthesised by the application of a scan rate of 1 mV s^–1. Stainless steels were unalloyed and alloyed with approximate 1 wt-% Ti, V and Nb elements. The samples were obtained from casting and forging. The steels were exposed to different heat treatments. Heat treatment was not applied to the first group of samples. The second and the third group of samples were rapidly cooled after annealing at 1100°C for 30 and 180 min respectively. The corrosion performances of ferritic stainless steels were investigated in 0·1 M H₂SO₄ solution, by use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations were performed. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed generalised pitting on the surface. Corrosion resistance was calculated by Stearn-Geary equation. It was determined that titanium has the best effect on the corrosion resistance of ferritic stainless steels homogenised for 180 min.     

Corrosion of Stainless Steels in Fatty Acid Media at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures

Abstract

Natural fatty acids were separated and purified by steam distillation at 250–300°C. Corrosion rates were determined for three stainless steels 316L, 317L and Ti-stabilised 321, using weight-loss measurements after 14 days in three fatty acid fractions at 260°C. These results for stainless steels were compared with corrosion rates obtained for nickel, molybdenum and manganese by similar weight-loss measurements. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm pitting corrosion at the metal surface. The effects of water, low molecular weight fatty acids and impurities such as sodium salts are discussed in relation to the overall corrosion processes in steel steam distillation columns.     

Influence of heat flux on localised corrosion of stainless steel under boiling conditions

The article deals with the influence of heat flux on localised forms of corrosion of stainless steels under the conditions of phase transition on a metal surface. The observations focused on the influence of the initiation and propagation of pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. Pitting corrosion was tested in the environment of 0.6% FeCl₃ + 0.3% EDTA + 0.1% HCl, the susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking was verified in 35% MgCl₂. The tests proved a negative influence of heat flux on the initiation and propagation of non‐uniform corrosion.     

Localised corrosion at welds during acid cleaning

An instance where a pre-commissioning hydrochloric acid clean caused localised corrosion of the heat-affected-zones (HAZ) in a carbon steel containing 0.25/0.3%C (ASTM Grade 210C) is described. The factors influencing the occurrence of corrosion at welds during chemical cleaning have been examined. In inhibited hydrochloric acid it has been shown that undesirably high weight losses are associated with pitting and a pitting potential below which pits will not initiate can be determined. Although the susceptibility to attack was different for welds in different steels, all steels were susceptible to localised attack. This susceptibility was reduced but not removed by a stress relieving post weld heat treatment. The use of inhibited citric acid, as an alternative acid cleaning solution, reduces but does not eliminate the possibility of localised weld corrosion. It is recommended that each material/weld combination be tested for susceptibility to localised attack prior to it being cleaned. This should be performed under dynamic conditions using a potentiostat or oxidising additions to examine how near the corrosion potential is to potentials promoting localised corrosion.     

Long term corrosion characteristics of metallic materials in marine environments

Abstract

Long term corrosion test data in marine environments are essential data to guide the design and application of marine engineering. Corrosion test results, over a 16 year period from October 1986 to October 2002, using eight kinds of metallic materials are reported in this paper. Materials were exposed in the splash zone, tidal zone, and full immersion zone of four corrosion test stations located in Qingdao, Zhoushan, Xiamen and Yulin respectively, and therefore the corrosion behaviour of various ferrous and non-ferrous materials in these marine environments has been obtained. The corrosion of carbon steel in the seawater fits the following general relationship: D=A+K(t–1). The variation in the general corrosion rates for the different carbon steels in seawater is relatively small and consistent. However, the pitting corrosion rates for the different carbon steels are all significantly different. The marine splash zone is about 0–2˙4 m above the mean high water level of the seawater. The corrosion peak was located about 0˙6 to 1˙2 m above the mean high water level. The order of the corrosion potential of stainless steels with the corrosion resistance of stainless steels is consistent in seawater. The corrosion of copper was found to be serious in the full immersion zone of the Yulin sea area. The effective lifetime of the cathodic protection for a wrapped aluminising layer of the hard and ultrahard aluminium may be 16 years.     

Interkristalline Korrosion ferritischer Chromstähle mit rd. 17 Gew.-% Chrom nach Glühen im Temperaturbereich um 500 °C

Intergranular corrosion of ferritic 17% chromium stainless steels after heat-treatment in the 500 °C temperature range After stabilizing heat-treatment at 750°C, the non-stabilized, ferritic 17% chromium stainless steel Mat.-Nr. 1.4016 (X8Cr17) still contains a sufficient high concentration of carbon dissolved in solid solution, that after heat-treatment in the 500 °C temperature range carbides rich in chromium of the M₂₃C₆-type are precipitated, causing a relatively weak pronounced susceptibility of the steel to intergranular attack. The susceptibility to this type of attack can be detected by testing specimens in the sulfuric acid-copper sulfate-test with increased concentration of sulfuric acid as compared with the DIN standard 50914, followed by metallografic examination of the specimens. The susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of the material investigated occurring after heat-treatment in the low temperature range, which until now is unknown, is described in terms of a Rollason-diagram as it is commonly used for austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steels. As it is to be expected, the stabilized 17% chromium steels Mat. No. 1.4510 (X8CrTi17), 1.4511 (X8CrNb17) and 1.4523 (X8CrMoTi17) are resistant to intergranular corrosion after heat-treatment at low temperatures.     

Die Bedeutung des Oxalsäure-Tests für die Prüfung der Korrosionsbeständigkeit nichtrostender Stähle

The meaning of the oxalic acid etch test for testing the corrosion resistance of stainless steels In the oxalic acid etch test according to ASTM A 262 practice A, precipitations of phases rich in chromium and molybdenum which can occur in stainless steels, are preferentially dissoved. The behaviour of such phases in the oxalic acid etch test was investigated taking precipitations of carbide M₂₃C₆, s?-phase, χ-phase and Laves-phase in stainless steels AISI 304 L and 316 L as examples. The chemical composition of these was evaluated with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) by EDS. With coarser precipitations, it was possible to support this analytical method by EDS of metallographic cross sections in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In oxalic acid, critical threshold potentials exist above which the above mentioned phases are preferably attacked, furthermore critical pH values, below which no selective attack of the precipitated carbides and intermetallic phases occurs. The numerical values of the threshold potentials as well as the critical pH values were evaluated. When testing stainless steels in the oxalic acid etch test, the steel specimens are polarized to a highly positive potential in the very trans passive range. In this potential range the corrosion rate of stainless steels increases with increasing chromium content, while in the active and passive range the corrosion rate decreases with increasing chromium content. Other than the nitric-hydrofluoric acid test, the copper-copper sulfate-sulfuric acid test, and the ferric sulfate-sulfuric acid test, the oxalic acid etch test does therefore not indicate any chromium depletion. Hence, an intergranular attack also occurs when precipitations of carbides rich in chromium are present at the grain boundaries of austenitic stainless steels with the carbides being precipitated without any chromium depletion of the areas adjacent to the grain boundaries. Sensitized austenitic stainless steels which are susceptible to intergranular corrosion due to the precipitation of chromium rich carbides and chromium depletion of the areas adjacent to the grain boundaries, can suffer intergranular SCC in high temperature aqueous environments when additionally critical conditions with respect to the mechanical stress level and the oxygen concentration in the environment are given. For the detection of sensitized microstructures, the oxalic acid etch test must be valued critically due to the dependence of the corrosion rate on the chromium content mentioned above, and is obviously by far less suited than the conventional tests for establishing resistance to intergranular corrosion in sulfuric acid-copper sulfate solutions with additions of metallic copper (Strauß test, severe Strauß test).     

Effect of Host Media on Microbial Influenced Corrosion due to Desulfotomaculum nigrificans

This article reports about the tests carried to investigate microbial-induced corrosion on stainless steels due to sulfate-reducing bacteria sp. Desulfotomaculum nigrificans in different host media. Stainless steel 304L, 316L, and 2205 were selected for the test. Modified Baar’s media (BM), sodium chloride solution, and artificial sea water (SW) were used as test solutions in anaerobic conditions. Electrochemical polarization and immersion test were performed to estimate the extent of corrosion rate and pitting on stainless steels. SEM/EDS were used to study the details inside/outside pits formed on the corroded samples. Biofilm formed on corroded coupons was analyzed for its components by UV/Visible spectroscopy. Corrosion attack on the test samples was observed maximum in case of exposure to SW followed by NaCl solution, both having sulfide and chloride whereas stainless steel exposed to BM, having sulfide, showed minimum attack. Tendency of extracellular polymeric substances to bind metal ions is observed to be responsible for governing the extent of corrosion attack.     

Corrosion of stainless steels under heat transfer conditions in nitric acid

Abstract

Novel test rigs are described for the study of the corrosion of metal specimens under controlled heat fluxes. In the corrosion of stainless steels in nitric acid, tests at various heat fluxes with steel surface temperature kept constant have shown that the cooler acid present at the surface under higher heat fluxes leads to slightly smaller corrosion rates than under isothermal conditions. Crevice corrosion can develop under the gasket sealing the stainless steel specimen to the test cell. This crevice corrosion can produce enhanced corrosion rates (by factors up to 100), not only on surfaces within the crevice, but also on those external to the crevice. The factors influencing the development of crevice corrosion are discussed.     

The effect of manufacturing process induced near-surface deformed layer on the corrosion behaviour of AA2198-T851 Al–Cu–Li alloy

ABSTRACT

The effect of the near-surface deformed layer on the corrosion behaviour of AA2198-T851 Al–Cu–Li alloy has been investigated using microscopy and electrochemical techniques. This shows that a deformed layer developed by rolling was more active but only exhibited superficial attack compared to a mechanically polished surface, which produced severe localised corrosion associated with the presence of hexagonal T1 particles. The rolled surface became increasingly corrosion resistant with time, but when coupled, galvanically enhanced severe localised corrosion sites developed on the surface over time.