Effect of Heat Treatment of Martensitic Stainless Steel on Passive Layer Growth Kinetics Studied by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in Conjunction with the Point Defect Model

Abstract

Martensitic stainless steels are widely used materials. Their mechanical and corrosion properties are strongly influenced by their microstructure and thereby can be affected by heat treatment. In the present study, the effect of different austenitizing temperatures on the passive film growth kinetics of martensitic stainless steel is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The data was further fitted by the point defect model to determine kinetic parameters. We show that an increasing austenitizing temperature leads to a more protective passive film and slows down passive film dissolution in sulfuric acid.