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High corrosion resistance in different concentrations of nitric acid is essential for structural steels to be used for the aqueous reprocessing of spent nuclear fuels with high plutonium content.

In the present study, the corrosion resistance of type 304L stainless steel (SS) with modified composition was evaluated in different concentrations of nitric acid using surface analytical techniques, weight loss method and electrochemical measurements.

Weight loss measurement in boiling 65 per cent nitric acid showed a low corrosion rate value of about 0.2 mm/y (8 mpy) after 240 h exposure. Electrochemical measurements revealed the shift in open circuit potentials as well as corrosion potential toward more noble direction, and the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies indicated the reduction in the thickness and stability of the passive film with increasing concentration from 6 to 11.5 M nitric acid.

The low corrosion rate observed for this steel is attributed to the higher content of Cr (19 per cent), Ni (10 per cent) and Si (0.3 per cent) and controlled minor alloying elements (S, P, B, C, etc.) in the alloy that contributed to improving the transpassive corrosion resistance and minimizing the intergranular corrosion attack. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis revealed the composition of the passive films to be mainly of iron and chromium oxides.

Materials with lower corrosion rates are desirable for applications in nitric acid.

The used of nitric acid creates a severe corrosive environment in chemical or aqueous nuclear reprocessing plants, and hence with a modified composition of type 304L SS resulting in minimizing failure of components are desirable for reducing cost and maintenance.

The present paper is an original work carried out by the authors on the corrosion resistance behaviors of composition modified AISI type 304L SS for nitric acid application. The effects of different nitric acid concentrations were compared to provide understanding on in applicability in boiling and high nitric acid concentrations.

This paper aims to explore the influence of corrosion-deformation interactions (CDI) on the corrosion behavior and mechanisms of 316LN under applied tensile stresses.

Corrosion of metals would be aggravated by CDI under applied stress. Notably, the presence of nitrogen in 316LN austenitic stainless steel (SS) would enhance the corrosion resistance compared to the nitrogen-absent 316L SS. To clarify the CDI behaviors, electrochemical corrosion experiments were performed on 316LN specimens under different applied stress levels. Complementary analyses, including three-dimensional morphological examinations by KH-7700 digital microscope and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy, were conducted to investigate the macroscopic and microscopic corrosion morphology and to characterize the composition of corrosion products within pits. Furthermore, ion chromatography was used to analyze the solution composition variations after immersion corrosion tests of 316LN in a 6 wt.% FeCl₃ solution compared to original FeCl₃ solution. Electrochemical experiment results revealed the linear decrease in free corrosion potential with increasing applied stress. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated that high tensile stress level damaged the integrity of passivation film, as evidenced by the remarkable reduction in electrochemical impedance. Ion chromatography analyses proved the concentrations increase of NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ ion concentrations in the corrosion media after corrosion tests.

The enhanced corrosion resistance of 316LN SS is attributable to the presence of nitrogen.

The scope of this study is confined to the influence of tensile stress on the electrochemical corrosion of 316LN at ambient temperatures; it does not encompass the potential effects of elevated temperatures or compressive stress.

The resistance to stress electrochemical corrosion in SS may be enhanced through nitrogen alloying.

This paper presents a systematic investigation into the stress electrochemical corrosion of 316LN, marking the inaugural study of its impact on corrosion behaviors and underlying mechanisms.

This paper aims to study the effect of current density of hydrogen charging on the semiconductor properties and pitting initiation of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) passivation film.

In this work, the 2205 DSS is pre-hydrogenated and passivated. Then, the passivation film is tested by electrochemical impedance method, Mott–Schottky curve method and dynamic potential scanning method. The influences of hydrogen on the properties of the passivation film and the corrosion behavior of the matrix were studied by analyzing the curves obtained in the electrochemical test. The surface of the passivation film after pre-hydrogenation and anodic polarization was observed by using the ultra-depth three-dimensional microscopy and the scanning electron microscope. The integrity, density and corrosion morphology of the passivation film were studied and discussed.

With the increase of the hydrogen current density, the growth of the passivation film is hindered, the concentrations of donor and acceptor in the film are increased, the conductivity of the passivation film increases. In the anodic polarization, the dimensional passive current density increases with the increase of the hydrogen current density, and the pitting potential is reversed, the more likely the sample is pitting. In general, hydrogen hinders the formation of the passive film on duplex stainless steel, which increases the concentration of point defects in the passive film. Finally, the passive film is easy to crack and pitting.

The performance of passive film is an important condition to influence the corrosion behavior of stainless steel. However, little research has been done on the effects of hydrogen on the electrochemistry and pitting sensitivity of 2205 DSS passivation films. The effect of hydrogen on semiconductor properties and pitting initiation of 2205 DSS passivation film is needed to be investigated.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the corrosion behavior of the Zr₅₉Nb₃Al₁₀Ni₈Cu₂₀ amorphous alloy in aqueous 1M, 6M and 11.5M HNO₃ media using potentiodynamic polarization and weight loss determinations.

The electrochemical study, weight loss analysis and surface investigation were carried out on amorphous Zr₅₉Nb₃Al₁₀Ni₈Cu₂₀ alloy that had been immersed in aqueous HNO₃ medium at room temperature to understand the corrosion behavior of Zr-based amorphous Zr₅₉Nb₃Al₁₀Ni₈Cu₂₀ alloy. The amorphous state of the alloy was investigated using X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies were carried out in aqueous 1M, 6M and 11.5M HNO₃ media by recording open circuit potential/time and potentiodynamic polarization characteristics. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the surface morphology of the alloy after the electrochemical tests and weight loss determinations.

The electrochemical results revealed that E_corr values shifted toward more noble values, as the concentration of the nitric acid was increased, and this was attributed to the higher oxidizing power of the nitric acid. The higher value of corrosion current density was obtained for the Zr₅₉Nb₃Al₁₀Ni₈Cu₂₀ amorphous alloy in aqueous 11.5M HNO₃ medium at room temperature. The optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy examinations revealed that the formation of protective oxide layer on the surface of amorphous Zr₅₉Nb₃Al₁₀Ni₈Cu₂₀ alloy leads to the improvement in the corrosion behavior in nitric acid medium at room temperature.

The results can be helpful in finding the suitable material for fuel reprocessing applications.

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the corrosion resistance of Cr-Mn austenitic stainless steel (ASS) via low temperature salt bath nitriding and to replace the convectional Cr-Ni ASS with newly developed enhanced corrosion resistive Cr-Mn ASS.

The low temperature salt bath nitriding was performed on Cr-Mn ASS at 450°C for 3 h in potassium nitrate salt bath.

The present paper compares the corrosion resistance of salt bath nitrided Cr-Mn ASS with convectional Cr-Ni ASSs (316 L and 304 L ASSs) in 3.5 per cent NaCl by electrochemical techniques. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy result shows the increase in film resistance and potentiodynamic polarization results show the enhanced corrosion resistance of nitrided Cr-Mn ASS, which is almost equivalent to that of 316 L and 304 L ASSs. This is attributed to the formation of nitrogen supersaturated dense nitride layer. The present results therefore suggest that the nitrided Cr-Mn ASS may replace costly convectional Cr-Ni ASSs for commercial and industrial applications.

Ever-increasing price of nickel (Ni) is driving the industries to use Ni-free or low-Ni austenitic stainless steels (ASSs). But its corrosion resistance is relatively poor as compared to conventional Cr-Ni ASSs. However, its corrosion resistance can be improved by nitriding. The low temperature salt bath nitriding of Cr-Mn ASS and its electrochemical behavior in 3.5 per cent NaCl has not been studied. The present research paper is beneficial for industries to use low cost Cr-Mn, enhance its corrosion resistance and replace the use of costly conventional Cr-Ni ASSs.

The purpose of this paper is to study the variations of composition and properties of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel surface in 80°C, 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 mg L-1 NaF solution, is helpful to understand the mechanisms of corrosion resistancethe of plated Pd on 316 L ss.

The variations of composition and properties of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel surface in 80°C, 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 mg L-1 NaF solution after connected to Pd electrode were studied with methods of potential monitor, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) measurement.

By connecting to a Pd electrode, the potential of the SS sample increased from the active region to the passive region. By connecting to the Pd electrode, the contents of Cr, Cr(OH)3 and Fe3O4 in passive film increased obviously. With increased Pd/SS area ratio, the Cr(OH)3 content in passive film increased but the Fe3O4 content changed little. The results show that after connecting to Pd the corrosion resistance of the passive film on 316 L stainless steel increases obviously, which may be attributed to the more compact passive film because of higher Cr, Cr(OH)3 and Fe3O4 contents and less point defects in the film.

The effects and mechanism of Pd on passivation of SS was studied.

This study investigated the corrosion stability of high velocity oxy‐fuel (HVOF) spray SUS316L coatings on aluminium substrate as lightweight bipolar plate materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Contact resistance, microhardness and structure of the coatings were characterised using a four‐point probe, pneumatic microhardness, XRD and scanning electron microscope techniques. Preliminary electrochemical results indicate that the SUS316L coated plates significantly lowered the corrosion current of the aluminium substrate by more than one order of magnitude. Corrosion stability in relation to the coating thickness is discussed in terms of the structure composition and transpassivity of chromium.

This paper aims to study the tribocorrosion behavior of 304 stainless steel (SS) sliding against SiC and Si₃N₄ counterparts in artificial seawater.

The tribocorrosion behavior of 304SS sliding against SiC and Si₃N₄ balls in artificial seawater has been investigated. The tests were conducted using a ball-on-disk rig equipped with an electrochemical workstation. The friction coefficient, surface morphology, wear volume and current density were determined.

When 304SS sliding against SiC ball, a smooth surface with a silica layer was formed on the top, which led to the low friction coefficient, current density and small wear volume. For 304SS-Si₃N₄ tribo-pair, a lot of metal debris was scattered on contact surfaces leading to high friction coefficient, current density and big wear volume.

This research suggests that the lubrication effect of silicon-based ceramics is related to counterpart specimen in artificial seawater.

The results may help us to choose the appropriate ceramic ball under seawater environment.

The main originality of the work is to reveal the tribocorrosion behavior of 304SS sliding against SiC and Si₃N₄ balls, which help us to realize that the Si₃N₄ ball as water-lubricated ceramics could not exhibit lubrication effect when coupled with 304SS in artificial seawater.

In recent years, using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, the authors have achieved precisely detecting the structural evolution of passive film as well as its interface zone at atomic scale. The purpose of this paper aims to make a brief review to show the authors’ new understanding and perspective on the issue of critical factors determining stability of passive film of Fe-Cr alloy.

The introduction of single crystal enabled the authors to obtain a distinct metal/passive film interface and better characterize the structure of the interface region. The authors use aberration-corrected TEM to conduct cross-sectional observation and directly capture the details across the entire film at a high spatial and energy resolution.

Apart from the passive film itself, the interface zone, including metal/film (Me/F) interface and the adjacent metal side, is also the site which is attacked. Accordingly, the nature of the interface zone, such as microstructure, composition and atomic configuration, is one of the critical factors determining the stability of passive film.

Deciphering the critical factors determining the stability of passive film is of great significance and has been a fundamental issue in corrosion science. Great attention has been paid to the nature of the passive film itself. In contrast, the possible role of the interface between the passive film and the metal is rarely taken into account. Based on the advanced analytical tool with high spatial resolution, the authors have specified the significant role of interface structures on the macro-scale stability of passive film.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the corrosion resistance of superalloys subjected to ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). The passive film growth on the superalloys’ surface is analyzed to illustrate the corrosion mechanism.

Electrochemical tests were used to investigated the corrosion resistance of GH4738 superalloys with different UIT densities. The microstructure was compared before and after the corrosion tests. The passive film characterization was described by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) tests.

The compressive residual stress and corrosion resistance of the specimens significantly increased after UIT. The order of corrosion resistance is related to the UIT densities, i.e. 1.96 s/mm² > 1.71 s/mm² > 0.98 s/mm² > as-cast. The predominant constituents of the passive films are TiO₂, Cr₂O₃, MoO₃ and NiO. The passive film on the specimen with 1.96 s/mm² UIT density has the highest volume fraction of Cr₂O₃ and MoO₃, which is the main reason for its superior corrosion resistance.

This study provides quantitative corrosion data for GH4738 superalloys treated by ultrasonic impact. The corrosion mechanism is explained by the passive film’s characterization.