The corrosion behaviour of Fe-15Mn-7Si-9Cr-5Ni shape memory alloy

The corrosion behaviour of Fe-15Mn-7Si-9Cr-5Ni (mass%) shape memory alloy at 25 °C in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 3.5% NaCl solutions has been studied using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance techniques. Three different microstructures viz., single-phase γ, γ-δ and γ-Fe₅Ni₃Si₂, were produced by heat-treating the alloy in different equilibrium phase fields. The corrosion behaviour in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution is almost same for all three microstructures, barring a slight difference in the passivation range. Although, the passivation current in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, is in the same range as that of SS 304, the critical current required for onset of passivation is almost three orders higher and the passivation range is much shorter. In 3.5% NaCl solution the corrosion behaviour of all three microstructures of the Fe-15Mn-7Si-9Cr-5Ni shape memory alloy was that of general dissolution without passivity or localized attack (pitting). The best corrosion resistance in both H₂SO₄ and NaCl solutions is shown by the single-phase γ microstructure.