Low-temperature corrosion behavior of laser cladding metal-based alloy coatings on EH40 high-strength steel for icebreaker

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, four kinds of coatings Ni + 30% WC, Ni + 15% WC, Ni, and Co are prepared on EH40 steel by laser cladding technology. Electrochemical experiment tests at a simulating low-temperature (–40°C) environment in 0.5 mol·L−1 hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution and 3.5 wt% NaCl solution were conducted, and the polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) impedance spectrum were obtained. The results show that the Ni + 15% WC coating has the smallest corrosion current and 0.5 mol·L−1 HCl solution and 3.5 wt% NaCl solution have the maximum polarization resistance and impedance arc. Coatings will be treated in a 0.5 mol·L−1 HCl solution and 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at –40°C immersion for 30 days; finally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used for test passivation films of Ni + 15% WC samples and sample surface morphology after corrosion. XPS results show that Fe, Mo, and Ni elements can form metal oxides in the 0.5 mol·L−1 HCl solution, and Cr, Fe, Mo, Ni, and W elements can form metal oxides in the 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. SEM results display that relatively severe corrosion appeared on the substrate near tungsten carbide in a 0.5 mol·L−1 HCl solution, and coating will be corroded form inside of the coating owing to the corrosive solution will penetrate the substrate. In 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, severe corrosion of the substrate has not been observed; however, the binding part has been obviously corroded.