Influence of cryogenic treatments on the electrochemical behavior of two martensitic stainless steels

D.O. FLAMINI; W.R. TUCKART; G. PRIETO

Physicochemical Mechanics of Materials

PUBLONS

Lugar: Kiev; Año: 2021 vol. 57 p. 113 - 123

0430-6252

Cryogenic treatment is a useful method for improving the mechanical and tribological properties of a wide range of materials, especially steels. However, results regarding the effect of this treatment on the corrosion resistance are scarce, particularly in the case of martensitic stainless steels. In this research, the influence of cryogenic treatments on the properties of two different martensitic stainless steels, namely AISI 420 and AISI 440C, is investigated. Their microstructures are studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction and correlated with their corrosion resistance. The electrochemical behavior of the steels is studied by measuring open-circuit potential and under experiments using cyclic anodic potentiodynamic polarization. It is found that the cryogenic treatment does not affect the pitting resistance of AISI 420 steel, but it significantly reduces the ability of AISI 440C to achieve passivation.