Search

Introduction: This work systematically investigates the effect of chloride level, temperature, and the water system's oxidative power on the pitting corrosion performance of stainless steels in pH-neutral environments. Methods: Two test programs were set to a) develop a robust method for constructing the pitting engineering diagrams and b) construct the pitting engineering diagrams based on the obtained method from the first test program. The various electrochemical techniques were selected to assess and understand factors that affect the corrosion behavior of stainless steel. Extensive testing was performed with short-term electrochemical measurements and long-term immersion tests. Results and Discussion: The obtained results demonstrate that the electrochemical methods are sufficient to define pitting diagrams showing the boundaries between pitting and no pitting as a function of chloride concentration, temperature, and the water system's oxidation potential. The laboratory long-term electrochemical test results correspond the best to real applications and clearly underline the importance of an induction time for pit initiation. Accordingly, two sets of pitting engineering diagrams were constructed based on the water system's oxidation potential. Measurements at the applied potential of 150 mV vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) correspond to applications in sterile tap water, whereas the applied potential of 400 mV vs. SCE corresponds to slightly chlorinated water or water with some biological activity. Pitting engineering diagrams were proved to be very useful tools to aid material selection in water application. However, it is important to realize that additional factors, such as different surface conditions and the presence of other environmental species, crevice design, or weld will affect the exact position of the boundaries between pitting and no pitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolution of stainless steel type 304 in artificial saliva was studied by electrochemical methods, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and atom absorption spectroscopy. The samples were polarized in the -400 mV (saturated calomel electrode) to -50mV (saturated calomel electrode) range. The total thickness of the passive film was found to be 25 ± 3 Å, independent of the potential. The passive film consists of a duplex structure: an inner layer of (Cr0.5Fe0.5)2O3 and an outer layer of a mixture of Cr(OH)3 and (CrxFey)PO4·2H2O. The analysis indicated that 11 µg/cm² of the alloying elements were dissolved during exposure for 1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)