Evaluation of corrosion response of sintered ferritic stainless steels using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques

Abstract

The present study investigates the effect of sintering temperature on the electrochemical response of ferritic (434L) stainless steels determined through potentiodynamic polarization and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) studies. To understand the corrosion mechanism, the EIS was done at open circuit potential (OCP), passive region (500mV) and near breakdown potential region of polarization curve of 434L stainless steel. The compacts sintered at higher temperature (1400°C) exhibit better corrosion resistance. To explain the EIS results, an electrical circuit has been conceptualized at open circuit potential (OCP) that indicates the presence of two time constants. This can be attributed to the presence of Electrical Double Layer (EDL) and formation of a protective passive during corrosion. EIS results on compacts done at 500mV shows only one time constant which suggests nearly complete passivation of the surface due to the formation of passive film.