Enhanced resistance of 2205 Cu-bearing duplex stainless steel towards microbiologically influenced corrosion by marine aerobic Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

An antibacterial 2205-Cu duplex stainless steel(DSS)was shown to inhibit the formation and growth of corrosive marine biofilms by direct contact with copper-rich phases and the release of Cu~(2+)ions from the2205-Cu DSS surface.In this work,the microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC)resistance of 2205-Cu DSS in the presence of the corrosive marine bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated.The addition of copper improved the mechanical properties such as the yield strength,the tensile strength and the hardness of 2205 DSS.Electrochemical test results from linear polarization resistance(LPR),electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)and critical pitting temperature(CPT)measurements showed that 2205-Cu DSS possessed a larger polarization resistance(R_p),charge transfer resistance(R_(ct))and CPT values,indicating the excellent MIC resistance of 2205-Cu DSS against the corrosive P.aeruginosa biofilm.The live/dead staining results and the SEM images of biofilm confirmed the strong antibacterial ability of 2205-Cu DSS.The largest pit depth of 2205-Cu DSS was considerably smaller than that of 2205 DSS after 14 d in the presence of P.aeruginosa(2.2μm vs 12.5μm).2205-Cu DSS possessed a superior MIC resistance to regular 2205 DSS in the presence of aerobic P.aeruginosa.     

Improved corrosion resistance and biofilm inhibition ability of copper-bearing 304 stainless steel against oral microaerobic Streptococcus mutans

304 stainless steel(SS) used as orthodontic wire during orthodontics faces the risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion(MIC) due to diverse flora environment. Hereinto, Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans)is the most important cariogenic bacteria. In this work, MIC behavior of a new 304-Cu SS in presence of S. mutans was studied by the observations using scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) including live/dead staining, extracellular polymeric substance(EPS)staining and pitting corrosion, electrochemical test, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). Above results showed that 304-Cu SS possessed excellent biofilm inhibition ability and presented lower corrosion current density(icorr), larger polarization resistance(Rp) and charge transfer resistance(Rct) in the presence of S. mutans, indicating that 304-Cu SS had a better MIC resistance against S. mutans. It was further affirmed by XPS results that the presence of Cu-oxide in passive film of 304-Cu SS inhibited the formation of biofilm.     

Microbial corrosion resistance of a novel Cu-bearing pipeline steel

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is becoming a serious problem for buried pipelines. Developing environmentally friendly strategies for MIC control is increasingly urgent in oil/gas pipeline industry. Copper (Cu) in steels can not only provide aging precipitation strengthening, but also kill bacterium, offering a special biofunction to steels. Based on the chemical composition of traditional X80 pipeline steel, two Cu-bearing pipeline steels (1% Cu and 2% Cu) were fabricated in this study. The microstructure, mechanical properties and antibacterial property against sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were studied. It was found that the novel pipeline steel alloyed by 1%Cu exhibited acicular ferrite microstructure with nano-sized Cu-rich precipitates distribution in the matrix, resulting in better mechanical properties than the traditional X80 steel, and showed good MIC resistance as well. The pitting corrosion resistance of 1% Cu steel in as-aged condition was significantly better than that of X80 steel. A possible antibacterial mechanism of the Cu-bearing pipeline steel was proposed.     

Effect of dissolved oxygen on electrochemical corrosion behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel in hot concentrated seawater

The corrosion behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel was investigated in hot concentrated seawater with different dissolved oxygen(DO) concentration by electrochemical measurement techniques and surface analysis methods. DO obviously enhances the cathodic reaction process, the formation of passive film and polarization resistance. With increasing the DO concentration from 0.34 to 3.06 mg L^-1, the relative contents of Fe₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ and the Cr-enrichment gradually enlarge in the passive film. The higher DO concentrations result in lower defect densities and thicker of space charge layers in the passive films,whichmayeffectively inhibit the intrusion of aggressive chloride ions. The increment inDOconcentration clearly increases the pitting potential, but decreases the repassivation potential. It may weaken both the occurrence and repassviation tendencies of stable pitting corrosion.     

Effect of annealing temperature on the pitting corrosion resistance of super duplex stainless steel UNS S32750

The pitting corrosion resistance of commercial super duplex stainless steels SAF2507 (UNS S32750) annealed at seven different temperatures ranging from 1030 °C to 1200 °C for 2 h has been investigated by means of potentiostatic critical pitting temperature. The microstructural evolution and pit morphologies of the specimens were studied through optical/scanning electron microscope.Increasing annealing temperature from 1030 °C to 1080 °C elevates the critical pitting temperature, whereas continuing to increase the annealing temperature to 1200 °C decreases the critical pitting temperature. The specimens annealed at 1080 °C for 2 h exhibit the best pitting corrosion resistance with the highest critical pitting temperature. The pit morphologies show that the pit initiation sites transfer from austenite phase to ferrite phase as the annealing temperature increases. The aforementioned results can be explained by the variation of pitting resistance equivalent number of ferrite and austenite phase as the annealing temperature changes.     

Interaction between austein-ferrite phases on passive performance of 2205 duplex stainless steel

The passive behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) and its individual phases (α-phase, γ-phase) in neutral 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated by various electrochemical methods. The results indicated that galvanic effect between α and γ phases cannot deteriorate local corrosion, but favors the enhancement of the passive film. Under the galvanic effect, the diffusion of the dissolved passive cations would be promoted in a short distance between α and γ zones, leading to modifications of the chemical composition and semiconductive property of the passive film and therefore the enhancement of the corrosion resistance of DSS 2205.     

Selective dissolution of austenite in AISI 304 stainless steel by bacterial activity

Selective attack in an AISI 304 stainless steel weld metal has been developed after three months in service in well water. Welding zones showed a severe corrosive attack that in some cases led to the steel perforation. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX) revealed a selective attack. An in-depth analysis showed indications of microbiological activity which could be responsible of the severe attack.     

Strengthening of AISI 2205 duplex stainless steel by strain ageing

In this study, static strain ageing behavior of commercially available and solution heat treated duplex stainless steel was investigated and the effect of static strain ageing on the mechanical properties was also determined in detail. Some of as-received duplex stainless steel test specimens were pre-strained in tension by 5% and then aged at 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C for 30 min in furnace. Some of duplex stainless steel test specimens were solution heat treated at 1050 °C for 30 min, water quenched and then pre-strained for 5% in tension shortly after the solution heat treatment.In order to identify the effect of static strain ageing on the mechanical properties, the tensile strength, the change in the strength due to ageing (ΔY), elongation fracture and hardness were determined. The test results showed that the mechanical properties were affected by static strain ageing mechanism which was applied at different temperatures for same time interval.     

Quantitative fractography of 2205 duplex stainless steel after a sulfide stress cracking test

This paper presents the results of SSC (Sulfide Stress Cracking) investigations of duplex stainless steel 2205 resistance to cracking failure under the combined action of tensile stress and aqueous environments containing hydrogen sulfide according to the NACE Standard TM0177-96. The investigations were carried out on 9 test pieces that were loaded with a tensile stress ranging from 1.02 × the yield stress (YS) to 0.72 × YS. The tests were terminated either when the test specimen failed or after 720 h (30 days) – whichever occurred first – in accordance with the standard requirements. Only two of the specimens examined, one loaded with 1.02 × YS and the second one with 0.72 × YS, failed during the test. The resulting fracture surfaces were subjected to qualitative and quantitative fractographic examinations. Quantitative fracture analysis included an estimation of such parameters as linear roughness index R_L, fractal dimension D_F and overlap index O_L.     

Hot deformation characteristics of 2205 duplex stainless steel based on the behavior of constituent phases

High temperature behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel was studied by considering behavior of each constituent phase. The specimens were subjected to hot compression tests at temperatures of 800–1100 °C and strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 1 s⁻¹ at intervals of an order of magnitude. The flow stress analysis showed that hot working empirical constants are different at low and high temperatures. The strain rate sensitivity m was determined and found to change from 0.12 to 0.21 for a temperature rise from 800 °C to 1100 °C. The apparent activation energy Q was calculated as 554 and 310 kJ/mol for low and high temperature, respectively. The validity of constitutive equation of hyperbolic sine function was studied and stress exponent, n, was assessed to be 4.2. Assuming the hyperbolic sine function for determination of strain rate and application of the rule of mixture, the interaction coefficients of δ-ferrite, P, and austenite, R, were estimated at different hot working regimes. It was found that the interaction coefficients are functions of Zener–Hollomon parameter Z and obey the formulas P = 1.4Z^−0.08 and R = 0.76Z^0.005. Therefore, it was concluded that at low Z values δ-ferrite almost accommodates strain and dynamic recovery is the prominent restoration process which may even inhibit dynamic recrystallization in austenite. Otherwise, at high Z, austenite controls the deformation mechanism of material and dynamic recrystallization leads in finer microstructure.     

Hydrogen-enhanced cracking of 2205 duplex stainless steel

Tensile and fatigue crack growth tests of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) were performed in laboratory air, gaseous hydrogen at 0.2 MPa and saturated H₂S solution. The longitudinal specimen showed a lesser degradation of tensile properties than the transverse ones in saturated H₂S solution. The orientation of specimens with respect to rolling direction had little influence on the fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) of the alloy in air. Furthermore, 2205 duplex stainless steel was susceptible to hydrogen‐enhanced fatigue crack growth. Transmission electron micrographs, in addition to X‐ray diffraction, revealed that the strain‐induced austenite to martensite transformation occurred near the crack surface within a rather narrow depth. Fatigue fractography of the specimens tested in air showed mainly transgranular fatigue fracture with a small amount of flat facet fracture. Furthermore, extensive quasi‐cleavage fracture of 2205 duplex stainless steel was associated with the hydrogen‐enhanced crack growth.     

Interface structure of diffusion bonded duplex stainless steel and medium carbon steel couple

Diffusion bonding of duplex stainless steel to medium carbon steel was carried out with different temperatures for sound bonds. In the bonding process, relatively intermediate temperatures such as 750, 800, 850 and 900 °C were used with a bonding time of 30 min. In this study, microstructural changes and mechanical properties in the interface region of duplex stainless steel and medium carbon steel couples were determined. The results showed that, in interface region, Cr₂₃C₆ was formed on the stainless steel side, while ferrite formation was observed on the carbon steel side as a result of mutual diffusion of C and Cr.     

Superplastic boronizing of duplex stainless steel under dual compression method

In this work, SPB of duplex stainless steel (DSS) under compression method is studied with the objective to produce ultra hard and thick boronized layer using minimal amount of boron powder and at a much faster boronizing time as compared to the conventional process. SPB is conducted under dual compression methods. In the first method DSS is boronized using a minimal amount of boron powder under a fix pre-strained compression condition throughout the process. The compression strain is controlled in such a way that plastic deformation is restricted at the surface asperities of the substrate in contact with the boron powder. In the second method, the boronized specimen taken from the first mode is compressed superplastically up to a certain compressive strain under a certain strain rate condition. The process in the second method is conducted without the present of boron powder. As compared with the conventional boronizing process, through this SPB under dual compression methods, a much harder and thicker boronized layer thickness is able to be produced using a minimal amount of boron powder.     

Formability studies on plasma arc welded duplex stainless steel 2205 sheet

Sheet metal forming is cost-effective manufacturing process and hold a significant key position in fabrication works. Welding being a popular technique the industries primarily prefer for joining of sheet metal formed parts. The inherent material properties changes at the weld metal and heat affected zone post welding process, hence the impact and changes on mechanical strength aspects need to be studied. The current study focuses on influence of plasma arc welding on formability of 1.6 mm thick duplex stainless steel 2205 sheet using Erichsen cupping test by gauging the height of the cup formed. The performed tests such as uniaxial tensile, microhardness showed better mechanical properties and decrease in formability noted from Erichsen cupping test for weld metal compared to base metal. Finite element analysis of Erichsen cupping test is conducted using ABAQUS software and results are matched with experimental outcomes for validation. The comparison shows that a deviation of less than 5 % is noticed between actual and predicted formability index values. Microstructure examination reveals that, equiaxed grains at the weld center and columnar grains at sides typically formed in the weld metal region. The decrease in formability of weld blank compared to base blank is attributed to an increase in ferrite content. This is supported by amount of ferrite content measured in weld metal is 55 % and base metal is 52 %. The scanning electron micrographs (base and weld blank) reveal the mode of failure is ductile.     

Pitting corrosion failure of an AISI stainless steel pointer rod

In this study, failure analysis of a thermostatic mixing valve pointer rod made of AISI 304 stainless steel was performed. Visual examination, followed by an in-depth microstructural characterization using optical and scanning electron microscopy, was carried out for understanding the primary cause of failure. Energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopic analyses were also necessary supplements to this investigation. Finally, the obtained results infer that the combined effect of large amounts of MnS inclusions and the presence of deformation induced martensite adversely affected the pitting corrosion resistance of the pointer rod material. It is concluded that the pointer rod material was not properly investigated for defects prior to and after its fabrication.     

Microcrack growth and fatigue behavior of a duplex stainless steel

The kinetics of microcrack growth during cycling has been studied in a S32205 duplex stainless steel in the as-received and aged (100 h at 475 °C) conditions. Cylindrical specimens with a shallow notch were subjected to a constant plastic strain range of 0.3% in both thermal conditions. The characteristic features of surface damage and crack growth showed striking differences in microcrack density, nucleation location and propagation rate between the two thermal conditions even though the fatigue lives are comparable. In the as-received material, microcrack density is low and they nucleate mainly at grain and phase boundaries or second-phase particles. In the aged condition, slip markings first appear in the ferritic phase and they are the preferred site for microcrack nucleation. Crack propagation takes place along slip markings in adjacent grains for crack lengths less than 100 μm. A comparison between fatigue life and the relevant parameters of a microcrack growth law was made.     

The effect of short time post-weld heat treatment on the fatigue crack growth of 2205 duplex stainless steel welds

The influence of γ content and its morphology on the impact and fatigue crack growth behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) welds were studied in this work. Short time post-heating was able to effectively raise the γ content and the impact toughness of the weld. The variation in microstructures showed less influence on the fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) of the steel plate and weld except in the low ΔK regime. In contrast, residual welding stresses played a more significant affection on the FCGR of the DSS weld than microstructural factors did. Plastic deformation induced martensitic transformation within a definitely thin layer was responsible for the difference in crack growth behavior between specimens in the low ΔK range. Coarse columnar structure was more likely to have tortuous crack path in comparison with the steel plate.     

The effect of duplex stainless steel microstructure on its cavitation morphology in seawater

An ultrasonically induced cavitation facility was used to study the effect of a cast duplex stainless steel (DSS) microstructure on its corrosion behavior in seawater. Under cavitation conditions, small cavities initiated in the ferritic matrix and at the ferrite–austenite boundaries. With the progress of cavitation, the attack concentrated in the austenitic phase and then spread to the ferritic phase and was associated with cleavage-like facets, ductile tearing, river patterns and crystallographic steps at later stages. Cross-sections of specimens revealed microcracks initiating from the ferritic matrix at the bottom of cavities. Crack propagation into the matrix was impeded by the austenitic islands.     

Laser dissimilar welding of CoCrFeMnNi-high entropy alloy and duplex stainless steel

High entropy alloys(HEAs)have superior mechanical properties that have enabled them to be used as structural materials in nuclear and aerospace applications.As a dissimilar joint design is required for these applications,we created a dissimilar joint between CoCrFeMnNi-HEA and duplex stainless steel(DSS)through laser beam welding;a technique capable of producing a sound joint between the two materials.Microstructure examination using SEM/EBSD/XRD analysis revealed that the weld metal(WM)exhibits an FCC phase regardless of the postweld heat treatment(PWHT)temperature(800 and 1000℃)without forming detrimental intermetallic compounds or microsegregation.The heat-affected zone of the CoCrFeMnNi-HEA showed CrMn oxide inclusions while that of the DSS showed no inclusions.Moreover,a lower hardness was recorded by the WM compared to the base metal after welding.After PWHT,the hardness of the WM,CoCrFeMnNi-HEA,and DSS decreased with an increase in the PWHT temperature.However,the decrease in the hardness of the HEA was more significant than in the WM and DSS.The cause for this reduction in hardness was attributed to recrystallization and grain growth.In addition,a strength of 584 MPa with low ductility was recorded after welding.The obtained strength was lower than that of the BMs,but comparable to that of the welded CoCrFeMnNi-HEA.The application of PWHT resulted in over a 20％increment in ductility,with only a marginal reduction in strength.The deformation mechanism in the as-weld joint was mainly dominated by dislocation while that for the PWHT joint was twinning.We propose laser beam offset welding as a technique to improve the mechanical properties of the dissimilar joint,which will be the subject of future studies.