RESISTÊNCIA À CORROSÃO DE LIGAS DE FERROS FUNDIDOS PERLÍTICO E BAINÍTICO EM UMA SOLUÇÃO SINTÉTICA DE CONDENSADO A PARTIR DOS GASES DE COMBUSTÃO

Abstract

The corrosion of engine components of the combustion chamber is usually related to the formation of acids such as sulfuric and nitric. These acids are generated by the condensation of combustion gases that usually occur in vehicle exhaust systems. However, with the development of new technologies to reduce emissions, condensation is also being promoted in vehicle combustion chambers. This fact is associated with high exhaust gas recirculation rates, known as EGR (English term for Exhaust Gas Recirculation). Consequently, corrosion problems in the engine components are increasing, especially in cylinder liners alloy manufactured using cast iron. In this study, the corrosion resistance of two cast iron alloys, one with a pearlitic microstructure and the other with a bainite microstructure in a solution simulating the composition of the condensate obtained from the combustion gases. It was found that the microstructure of the cast iron is an important factor affecting the corrosion behavior. The results showed that none of the two materials investigated is resistant to corrosion in the test medium, and the small difference observed between the behavior of the two cast iron was related to its microstructure, which are dependent on their chemical compositions. The cast iron with a pearlitic microstructure showed less formation of corrosion products than the bainitic cast iron. This result is related to the presence of steadite phase, highly stable and resistant to corrosion in pearlitic microstructure. This phase (steadite) anchors the corrosion products formed on the surface and act as a partial barrier slowing the progress of the corrosion process, that was more pronounced in the bainitic cast iron