Effects of Carbon on the Corrosion Behaviour in Fe-18Cr-10Mn-N-C Stainless Steels

Abstract

The effects of carbon on general and pitting corrosion behaviour of Fe-18Cr-10Mn-(0.33-0.44)N-(0-0.38)C alloys were investigated using potentiodynamic tests. Carbon made the nitrogen-bearing alloys inert and thus promoted general corrosion resistance. These results were supported by experimental findings, such as elevated corrosion potential, reduced active dissolution rate, lowered passive potential and accelerated hydrogen evolution rate in sulphuric acid solution. The resistance to pitting corrosion in chloride solution was also enhanced by the addition of carbon, which was attributed to the improvement of the stability of the passive film. XPS analysis revealed that the cationic fraction of chromium in the passive film was increased and hence the protection ability of the film was improved by the carbon addition.