Effect of martensite morphologies on corrosion in 5% H2SO4 solution of borided X70 dual phase steel

Abstract

In the present investigation, some electrochemical properties of dual phase X70 steels with different martensite morphologies which have undergone boriding were studied. To obtain a variety of martensite morphologies, Direct Quenching (DQ), Intermediate Quenching (IQ) and Step Quenching (SQ) heat treatments were applied at an intercritical annealing temperature (IAT) of 760℃. The treatment (DQ) allowed the formation of fine martensite evenly distributed in the ferrite matrix. (IQ) treatment showed the formation of martensite along the ferrite / ferrite grain boundaries. In contrast, treatment (SQ) induced the formation of a banded morphology of martensite and ferrite. The realization of borides on X70 (DP) steel was carried out in a powder mixture containing 5% of B4C as source of boron, 5% of NaBF4 as activator and 90% of SiC as diluent at 950℃ for a period of time from 4 h. The corrosion behavior of X70 (DP) steel has been explored by the Tafel extrapolation method in a 5 wt. % H2SO4 solution. The corrosion resistance of steel which has undergone boriding (BDP) is higher than that of steel which has not undergone it (DP).