Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and corrosion properties of cast duplex stainless steels

Abstract

The effect of the quenching temperature on the pitting corrosion resistance of lean duplex stainless steel (DSS) were examined. Using thermodynamic modeling of phase formation processes in steel during solidification and subsequent cooling was shown that the equal amount of austenite and ferrite is achieved at 1210° for examined composition. Experimental steel samples were quenched from 1100 and 1200°. It was found that as the temperature rises, the pitting potential increases significantly due to the achievement of a favorable phase ratio. The results of this experimental study made it possible to develop a heat treatment that provides high corrosion properties of lean DSS.