Corrosion behaviors of 18Cr Stainless Steels in Selective Catalytic Reduction Environments

Abstract

Effects of high-temperature environment and low-temperature environment on corrosion behaviours of 18Cr stainless steels (type 304L, type 441) in simulated selective catalytic reduction (SCR) environments were studied using weight loss test in each environment and rust analysis. With time to exposure to the high temperature environment, type 441 was more resistant to corrosion than type 304L due to both higher diffusivity of Cr and lower thermal expansion coefficient in & alpha;-iron. The former provides a stable protective Cr O layer. The latter leaded to low residual stress between scale and steel, reducing the spallation of the scale. With time to exposure to the low-temperature environment, on the other hand, type 304L was more resistant to corrosion than type 441. The lower resistance of type 441 was caused by Cr-depleted zone with less than 11% formed during the pre-exposure to a high-temperature environment, unlike type 304L. It was confirmed by results from the crevice corrosion test of sensitised 11Cr steel. Hence, to achieve higher corrosion resistance in simulated SCR environments, ferritic stainless steels having lower thermal expansion coefficient and higher diffusivity of Cr but containing more than 18% Cr are recommended.