Microstructure and intergranular corrosion resistance of UNS S17400 (17-4PH) stainless steel

UNS S17400 or 17-4PH is a precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel with many industrial applications. Quite different mechanical properties can be produced in this material by varying the aging temperature. In this work, the influence of aging temperature on the intergranular corrosion susceptibility was evaluated by electrochemical and metallographic tests. The microstructural features were investigated by X-ray diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopy. Intergranular chromium carbide precipitation occurs in specimens aged at high temperatures, although NbC carbides were also observed. The results obtained by double loop electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation tests (DL-EPR) show that the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion resistance increases with the increase of aging temperature. Healing due to Cr diffusion in the 600-650 °C range was not observed by DL-EPR tests.     

Effect of Strain Aging on Tensile Behavior and Properties of API X60, X70, and X80 Pipeline Steels

The effect of strain aging on tensile behavior and properties of API X60, X70, and X80 pipeline steels was investigated in this study. The API X60, X70, and X80 pipeline steels were fabricated by varying alloying elements and thermomechanical processing conditions. Although all the steels exhibited complex microstructure consisting of polygonal ferrite (PF), acicular ferrite, granular bainite (GB), bainitic ferrite (BF), and secondary phases, they had different fractions of microstructures depending on the alloying elements and thermomechanical processing conditions. The tensile test results revealed that yielding behavior steadily changed from continuous-type to discontinuous-type as aging temperature increases after 1% pre-strain. After pre-strain and thermal aging treatment in all the steels, the yield and tensile strengths, and yield ratio were increased, while the uniform elongation and work hardening exponent were decreased. In the case of the X80 steel, particularly, the decrease in uniform elongation was relatively small due to many mobile dislocations in PF, and the increase in yield ratio was the lowest because a large amount of harder microstructures such as GB, BF, and coarse secondary phases effectively enhanced work hardening.     

Electrochemical corrosion response of a low carbon heat treated steel in a NaCl solution

Dual‐phase (DP) steels are produced from a specific heat treatment procedure and have recently emerged as a potential class of engineering materials for a number of structural and automobile applications. Such steels have high strength‐to‐weight ratio and reasonable formability. The present study aims to investigate the effects of four different and conventional heat treatments (i.e., hot rolling, normalizing, annealing, and intercritical annealing) on the resulting microstructural patterns and on the electrochemical corrosion behavior. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel plots were carried out on heat treated steel samples in a 0.5 M NaCl solution at 25 °C with neutral pH. An equivalent circuit analysis was also used to provide quantitative support for the discussions. The normalizing and the annealing heat treatments have provided the highest and the lowest corrosion resistances, respectively. The intercritical annealing and as‐received (hot rolled) low carbon steel samples have shown similar corrosion behavior. Although a deleterious effect on the corrosion resistance has been verified for DP steel due to the residual stress from the martensite formation, it combines good mechanical properties with intermediate electrochemical corrosion resistance.     

Effect of porosity of phosphate coating on corrosion resistance of galvanized and phosphated steels Part II: Evaluation of corrosion resistance

The effect of porosity of phosphate coatings on the corrosion resistance of ungalvanized (UG), electrogalvanized, and hot dip galvanized steels is evaluated in this study. The corrosion resistance of phosphatized and painted steel is related to the integrity and continuity of phosphate and paint layers, and pores in the phosphate layer affect the corrosion resistance of material. The porosity of the phosphate coating was evaluated by using the cathodic polarization electrochemical test. To evaluate the corrosion resistance of the phosphatized and painted steels, they were submitted to accelerated corrosion tests. As was expected, the creepback from the scribe increased with the increase in porosity. This behavior was evident for UG steel, but less evident for galvanized steels due to cathodic protection and/or barrier effect of the zinc coating.     

Electrochemical corrosion behaviour of innovative mould steels in a chloride‐containing environment

Investigations concerning the electrochemical corrosion behaviour of mould steels are scarce and limited. In the present study the corrosion resistance of an innovative mould steel (a microalloyed steel, steel 2), devoted to the fabrication of large size moulds, and a steel having the same composition without microalloying elements (B, Zr, Nb, steel 3), proposed for small size moulds, was assessed in a chloride‐containing environment and compared with that of the traditional 1.2738 steel. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were carried out on the investigated steel samples in a 0.1 M NaCl solution at 25 °C. Scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis were used to characterize the specimens surface after the electrochemical tests. Despite having a bainitic microstructure, the electrochemical corrosion behaviour of the investigated steels is quite different. Results showed that the steel 3 and the 1.2738 steel samples exhibit the best and the worst electrochemical corrosion behaviours compared to the steel 2 sample. The presence of pearlite is considered as the main reason for the poor corrosion behaviour showed by the 1.2738 steel sample, due to galvanic coupling phenomena between this phase and the bainitic matrix which experiences preferential dissolution. The coarse bainitic microstructure characterizing the steel 2 sample is responsible for its lower corrosion resistance as compared with the steel 3 sample exhibiting a finer bainitic microstructure.     

Corrosion behavior of engineering alloys in synthetic wastewater

The corrosion behavior of 1018, 410, and 800 steels exposed to synthetic wastewater have been studied using linear polarization resistance, cyclic potentiodynamic curves (CPCs), electrochemical noise (EN), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. The conditions were: a biochemical oxygen demand of 776 ppm; a chemical oxygen demand of 1293 ppm; a pH of 8; and a cell temperature of 25 °C. From the CPC and EN results, no localized corrosion was found for the stainless steels. However, small indications of a possible localized corrosion process were detected for the 1018 steel. The EIS results revealed that different corrosion mechanisms occurred in the carbon steel compared with the stainless steels. The results show that the corrosion mechanism strongly depends on the type of steel. Overall, the 1018 steel exhibited the highest corrosion rate, followed by the 410 alloy. The highest corrosion resistance was achieved by the 800 alloy. In addition, scanning electron microscopy analyses were carried out to explain the experimental findings.     

Comparative Study of Hardening Mechanisms During Aging of a 304 Stainless Steel Containing α′-Martensite

Strain aging and hardening behaviors of a 304 stainless steel containing deformation-induced martensite were investigated by examining mechanical properties and microstructural evolution for different aging temperature and time. Introduced age hardening mechanisms of a cold rolled 304 stainless steel were the additional formation of ????-martensite, hardening of ????-martensite, and hardening of deformed austenite. The increased amount of ????-martensite at an aging temperature of 450?°C confirmed the additional formation of ????-martensite as a hardening mechanism in a cold rolled 304 stainless steel. Additionally, the increased hardness in both ????-martensite and austenite phases with aging temperature proved that hardening of both ????-martensite and austenite phases would be effective as hardening mechanisms in cold rolled and aged 304 stainless steels. The results suggested that among hardening mechanisms, hardening of an ????-martensite phase, including the diffusion of interstitial solute carbon atoms to dislocations and the precipitation of fine carbide particles would become a major hardening mechanism during aging of cold rolled 304 stainless steels.     

Effects of rare earth elements on corrosion behaviors of low-carbon steels and weathering steels

The effects of rare earth elements on the corrosion properties of low-carbon steel and weathering steel were investigated. To elucidate the roles of rare earth elements (Ce and La) and the corrosion behavior of steels, salt spray tests, electrochemical techniques, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA), and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) were conducted. The results showed that the addition of rare earth elements enhances the corrosion resistance of both low-carbon steels and weathering steels, indicated by lower corrosion current density and salt spray corrosion rate after rare earth alloying. On the one hand, rare earth elements modify the morphology of inclusions and thus slow down the micro-area electrochemical corrosion, which improves the electrochemical corrosion resistance of these two steels. On the other hand, rare earth atoms tend to segregate toward the interface between the rust layer and the matrix. Hence, salt spray corrosion resistance is improved due to the enhancement of adhesion and compactness of the rust by the addition of rare earth elements.     

Influence of chromium,molybdenum and cobalt on the corrosion behaviour of high carbon steels in dependence of heat treatment

High chromium martensitic steels are designed to provide high corrosion resistance in combination with high strength. Some of these steel grades contain primary carbides for improving the wear resistance, e.g. the steel 440C. The present paper mainly deals with the effect of chemical composition and microstructure on the corrosion properties. Different experimental alloys were produced in the shape of small ingots. The influence of the alloying elements chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, and carbon on the corrosion properties was studied. The results can be summarized as follows: Chromium and molybdenum improve the corrosion resistance, however, only the content of these elements in solid solution in the steel matrix is effective. In case of cobalt the corrosion resistance decreases. The reason is the interaction between cobalt and carbon and its effect on the chromium content in the steel matrix. The calculated pitting resistant equivalent number of high chromium martensitic steels is only limited valid, because there is a major effect of carbide precipitation on the corrosion behaviour. Further investigations were focused on the heat treatment. Especially the effect of the tempering temperature of these steels was studied. The tempering temperature is most relevant for secondary hardening carbide precipitation, which lowers the chromium content of the matrix with detrimental influence on the corrosion properties. The carbide precipitation and chromium distribution was characterized by means of energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM).     

时效温度对15-5PH不锈钢组织及耐蚀性的影响

随时效温度的增加马氏体组织逐渐细化,马氏体板条间析出NbC颗粒;当时效温度达到550 ℃时有球状富Cu相析出。580 ℃开始有较弱的奥氏体衍射峰出现,即在时效中发生了马氏体向奥氏体的逆转变,620 ℃时,富Cu相由共格相转变为非共格相并聚集长大呈短棒状;随着时效温度的升高,腐蚀失重率逐渐增大,自腐蚀电位依次降低,电化学阻抗值不断减小,耐蚀性降低。     

Electrochemical corrosion behavior of 300M ultra high strength steel in chloride containing environment

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of 300M ultra high strength steel in chloride containing environment was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization technique, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that uniform corrosion occurs on 300M steel during the electrochemical measurements because no anodic passivation phenomenon is observed on polarization curves within the measurement range. The tests also show that 300M steel is highly susceptible to chloride containing solution, which is characterized by corrosion current density increasing with the addition of chlorides, and corrosion potential shifting towards positive direction and corrosion resistance decreasing, positively suggesting that chloride ions speed up the corrosion rate of 300M steel. Meanwhile corrosion products on the 300M steel surface formed during the salt spray test are too loose and porous to effectively slow down the corrosion rate. Additionally, a schematic structure of uniform corrosion mechanism can explain that 300M steel has better property of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance than stainless steels.     

Effect of the Heat Treatment on the Corrosion Resistance of Duplex Stainless Steels

Duplex stainless steels (DSS) are biphasic austenitic-ferritic steels in which the best combination of mechanical and corrosion resistance properties is achieved for an almost equal volume fraction of the phases. In this work, the effect of secondary phases precipitation on the corrosion resistance of four DSS grades (2101, 2304, 2205 and 2507), after isothermal aging in the critical temperature range 750-900 °C, was studied. The corrosion resistance was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization tests in both 0.6 M NaCl solution (pH 7) and in an acid chlorinated solution (pH 3) at room temperature. Moreover, the critical pitting temperature was determined according to ASTM G150. The results showed that secondary phases precipitation mainly influenced the resistance to corrosion of the lean duplex grades.     

固溶温度对15-5PH不锈钢耐点蚀性能的影响

用化学浸泡、极化曲线、循环极化曲线和电化学阻抗谱等方法研究了不同温度固溶后直接时效状态的15-5PH马氏体沉淀硬化不锈钢的耐点蚀性能,并用金相显微镜、X射线衍射仪(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析其显微组织和析出相。结果表明,15-5PH不锈钢随着固溶温度的升高,自腐蚀电位减小,自腐蚀电流和腐蚀速率增大,耐点蚀性能下降。不同温度固溶后时效的基体组织均为板条马氏体和少量奥氏体,且均有NbC相析出。在1000℃下固溶后时效组织较均匀,析出相少,耐点蚀性能优异。在1070℃下固溶后时效组织中有Cu析出,进而导致其耐点蚀性能下降。     

The effect of CeCl3 inhibitor on the localized corrosion of stainless steel in chloride solutions

Stainless steels have been used extensively in many sectors such as medical and household appliances as well as construction. This has been primarily due to their high resistance to corrosion attacks, reasonable cost, and excellent mechanical properties. However, when placed in corrosive media stainless steel is susceptible to localized corrosion attacks, especially when placed in chloride solutions. The paper explores the issue of corrosion liability of austenitic (AISI 316) and duplex (UNS S32205) stainless steels in et aconditions of seawater environment as well as under the influence of an inhibitor in the same environmental conditions. The behavior of stainless steels was examined via electrochemical testing relying on DC and AC techniques, optical metallographic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Duplex stainless steel showed better resistance to localized corrosion but a higher tendency toward general corrosion in all examined solutions. Cerium chloride in a chloride solution showed inhibiting properties for both the AISI 316 and the UNS S32205.     

A study on corrosion resistance characteristics of PVD Cr-N coated steels by electrochemical method

The corrosion behavior of Cr-N coated steels with different phases (-Cr, CrN and Cr₂N) deposited by cathodic arc deposition on AISI H13 steel was investigated in a 3.5% NaCl solution at ambient temperature. Potentiodynamic polarization tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were the techniques applied to characterize the corrosion behavior. It was found that the CrN coating had a lower current density from potentiodynamic polarization tests than others. The porosity, corresponding to the ratio of the polarization resistance of the uncoated and the coated substrate, was higher in the Cr₂N coating than in the other Cr-N coated steels. EIS measurements showed, for most of the Cr-N coated steels, that the Bode plot presented two time constants. Also, the Cr₂N coating represented the characteristic of Warburg behavior after 72 h of immersion. The coating morphologies were examined in planar view and cross-section by SEM analysis and the results were compared with those of the electrochemical measurement. The CrN coating had a dense, columnar grain-sized microstructure with minor intergranular porosity. From the above results, it is concluded that the CrN coating provided a better corrosion protection than the other Cr-N coated steels.     

Electrochemical corrosion behaviour of a Ti‐IF steel and a SAE 1020 steel in a 0.5 M NaCl solution

Investigations concerning the electrochemical corrosion behaviour of low carbon (LC) and ultra‐low carbon (ULC) steels are relatively scarce and limited. The present study aims to compare electrochemical impedance parameters and potentiodynamic polarization curves of an LC steel and an ULC Ti‐interstitial free (IF) steel evidencing the effects of carbon content and pearlite fraction on the electrochemical corrosion behaviour. Corrosion tests were carried out in a 0.5 M NaCl solution at 25 °C with a pH range between 6.5 and 6.8. It was found that the IF steel sample presents an electrochemical corrosion resistance, which is slightly higher than that of the LC steel sample.     

A new steel with good low‐temperature sulfuric acid dew point corrosion resistance

In this work, new steels (1#, 2#, and 3#) were developed for low‐temperature sulfuric acid dew point corrosion. The mass loss rate, macro‐ and micro‐morphologies and compositions of corrosion products of new steels in 10, 30, and 50% H₂SO₄ solutions at its corresponding dew points were investigated by immersion test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results indicated that mass loss rate of all the tested steels first strongly increased and then decreased as H₂SO₄ concentration increased, which reached maximum at 30%. Corrosion resistance of 2# steel is the best among all specimens due to its fine and homogeneous morphologies of corrosion products. The electrochemical corrosion properties of new steels in 10 and 30% H₂SO₄ solutions at its corresponding dew points were studied by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The results demonstrated that corrosion resistance of 2# steel is the best among all the experimental samples due to its lowest corrosion current density and highest charge transfer resistance, which is consistent with the results obtained from immersion tests.     

Effect of chromium additions on the mechanical and physical properties and microstructure of Fe-Co-Ni-Cr-Mo-C ultra-high strength steel: Part I

The effect of chromium additions to an Fe-14Co-10Ni-0.1Mo-0.16C (AF1410 based) secondary hardening steel was evaluated by mechanical and physical properties and by microstructural examination. This unique behavior was extended to encompass a large range of aging temperatures and times that may be encountered during commercial thermal treatment and/or welding. In the aging range of 482 to 550 °C, an increase in chromium from 2 to 3% in the AF1410 based steel resulted in a substantial strength decrease concomitant with an increase in toughness. This behavior is related to a peak hardening shift, early M₂C carbide coarsening, and an increase in reverted austenite for the 1 wt% Cr increase. The increased aging kinetics resulting from the 3Cr steel caused a faster dissolution of Fe₃C and rapid changes in chromium partitioning in the (Mo,Cr)₂C carbide resulting in a coherency loss with a corresponding decrease in lattice parameter. The kinetics of the secondary hardening reaction, for the two steels, was determined by resistivity data for changes in aging parameters (time/temperature).     

深冷处理对EH40极寒环境船用钢板的海水腐蚀性能影响

采用模拟浸泡实验技术,结合腐蚀形貌分析以及动电位极化和电化学阻抗技术研究了深冷处理对EH40极寒环境船用钢板在3.5%(质量分数)NaCl溶液中的海水腐蚀行为。结果表明:未经深冷处理的极寒环境船用钢板表面发生均匀腐蚀,在样品表面有均匀致密的腐蚀层产生;而经过-80℃深冷处理的钢板试样表面发生点蚀现象,其腐蚀失重增加,腐蚀速率由1.15 mm/a升至1.33 mm/a,增幅约为15.6%,同时腐蚀电流密度由1.244μA·cm^-2升至3.643μA·cm^-2,电化学阻抗值减小,耐蚀性降低;两者的腐蚀产物以α-FeOOH、β-FeOOH和γ-FeOOH为主。较低的环境温度对于极寒环境船用钢板的耐腐蚀性能有一定的影响。     

离子渗氮温度对X80管线钢渗氮层在 3.5%NaCl溶液中耐蚀性能的影响

研究了X80管线钢在3.5%NaCl溶液中的电化学腐蚀行为。结果表明：经离子渗氮的样品,表面硬度显著提高,且随渗氮温度的升高而增加;渗氮层的耐蚀性明显优于基体材料,腐蚀电流密度降低一个数量级;腐蚀电位明显正移。当渗氮温度为450 ℃时,样品渗氮层由ε相和少量的γ '相构成,表面硬度约为810 HV,耐蚀性最好,腐蚀电流最小,约为0.56 μA/cm²,腐蚀电位最高,约为-214 mV。当渗氮温度为570 ℃时,样品渗氮层全部为γ '相,表面硬度约为930 HV,耐蚀性明显降低。离子渗氮温度显著影响X80钢表面渗氮层的相组成,引起表面硬度和耐蚀性不同。