Repassivation-oriented pitting corrosion analysis in a cause-effect relationship with microstructure, precipitation, and mechanical behavior of low-carbon medium-chromium ferritic stainless steel

Abstract

Ferritic stainless steels (FSS), which are potentially ferromagnetic, play a vital role in electromagnetic applications, including solenoid valves, owing to their ferromagnetic properties. This study delves into the microstructure's impact on the localized pitting corrosion behaviour of cold-drawn (CD) low-carbon medium-chromium ferritic/ferromagnetic EN1.4106. Employing potentiostatic-based corrosion analysis, mechanical assessments, and microstructural evaluations on 44 designated specimens subjected to varied annealing conditions, we unveil a nuanced correlation between corrosion resistance and microstructure. Lower reduction rate of 15% versus 45%, extended-enough annealing conditions, and meticulous microstructural control with average grain size of around 45–46 μm, particularly in minimizing dislocation density alongside the local misorientaion of 15° up to at most 35°, significantly enhance corrosion resistance. Overall, this FSS grade demonstrates commendable non-hardenable characteristics with moderate resistance to pitting corrosion in the two of the most corrosive (acidic and chlorinated) environments. The grade notably passivates in sulfuric acid electrolyte solution (SAES) but undergoes active anodic dissolution in sodium chloride electrolyte solution (SCES), ultimately forming a sort of passive-like oxide layer.