Effect of Cooling Conditions on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Susceptibility of Cast Super Duplex Stainless Steel UNS J93404
摘要
Super duplex stainless steels (SDSSs) are widely used for critical applications due to their good mechanical properties and excellent corrosion resistance. These properties are achieved through the controlled addition of alloying elements and the proper balance of their microstructure, constituting approximately equal fractions of ferrite and austenite. Improper heat treatment or cooling conditions can alter phase balance and adversely affect the beneficial properties of the alloy. This study assesses the effect of microstructures generated under different cooling conditions on the mechanical properties and corrosion susceptibility of cast SDSS UNS J93404. The alloy samples subjected to different cooling conditions were characterized for their microstructure and phase constituents using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of the samples with different microstructures were evaluated using hardness, impact toughness, and tensile testing. Electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques were used to assess the corrosion behavior. Additionally, slow strain rate testing (SSRT) was conducted in 15% sodium chloride solution to evaluate the susceptibility of cast SDSS alloy to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) under different microstructural conditions. The results showed that furnace cooling promoted extensive precipitation of sigma phase via ferrite decomposition, whereas air cooling resulted in the formation of chromium nitrides within the ferrite phase. The microstructural changes led to significant degradation in the mechanical properties and corrosion susceptibility of SDSS UNS J93404. No evidence of SCC was observed under the tested conditions.