Effect of Delta ferrite on corrosion resistance of type 316L stainless steel in acidic chloride solution by micro-droplet cell

Abstract

More than 2% delta-ferrite phase is presented in type 316L stainless steels due to improvement of hot workability or welding process. In order to clarify the mechanism on how the delta-ferrite affects the corrosion resistance, electrochemical tests in a micro-droplet cell were conducted and microstructures were analyzed by TEM-EDS and SEM-EDS. Especially, the micro-droplet cell was modified at our laboratory to observe the polarization behavior of delta-ferrite phase in an acidic chloride solution. The anodic polarization behavior in both active zone and passive zone was affected by delta-ferrite. The degradation of corrosion resistance in the low potential zone with delta-ferrite phase is due to the preferential dissolution of a matrix, gamma phase. It is explained with the fact that the formation of delta-ferrite lowers the concentrations of chromium and molybdenum in gamma phase. It is also confirmed by potentiostatic test, EDS analyses and phase-equilibrium prediction. In addition, the micro-droplet cell and EDS analysis reveled that the pitting potential in the neutral pH solution was affected by Ca containing inclusion rather than delta-ferrite phase.