Abstract
Localised-in-the-edge oxidation of four AISI 430 alloys was investigated after an industrial bright annealing process. The oxidised surface of each specimen was characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman-spectroscopy and SEM. The results showed that the selective oxidation of Cr and Mn took place at the coil edges of AISI 430. This led to the formation of an oxide scale based on Cr2O3 and MnCr2O4. On the other hand, the formation of Cr(OH)3 and MnOOH in the outer part of the oxide scale was related to the effect of the H2–N2 environment on the annealing furnace. The results concluded that the composition of Cr and Mn in the alloy determined the composition of the oxidation products. However, the effect of annealing time was minor in this oxidation mechanism, which slightly contributed to an increase in the cation diffusion from the steel to the oxide. Finally, the results obtained indicate that the colouration of the coil edges displayed in each studied material varies according to the alloy chemical composition and annealing time.
Highlights
IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
This study aims to show that controlling the composition of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel, according to the annealing conditions set for each steel, can contribute to minimising the effect of the oxidation process that takes place at the edges of the AISI 430 coils during bright annealing
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterise the chemical properties of the oxide scale formed on the oxidised surface of the specimens shown in Figure 2, which were acquired from the coil edges of AISI 430 stainless steel after the bright annealing process
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Stainless steel is known for its wide range of high-quality finish grades. The final annealing stage must ensure the proper surface finish and mechanical properties of stainless steel [1]. In order to reach a mirror finishing, bright annealing is performed as the final stage of the manufacturing route of stainless steel
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