Corrosion Behavior of High-Nitrogen Steel Hybrid Welded Joints Fabricated by Hybrid Laser–Arc Welding

Abstract

To study the corrosion mechanism of high-nitrogen steel welds, this study investigated the effects of laser outputs on the corrosion behavior of high-nitrogen steel hybrid welded joints in hybrid laser–arc welding. The relationship between the ferrite content and laser output was characterized. The ferrite content increased with the increase in the laser power. The corrosion phenomenon first occurred at the two-phase interface, thereby forming corrosion pits. Ferritic dendrites were first corroded to form dendritic corrosion channels. Furthermore, first-principles calculations were performed to investigate the properties of the austenite and ferrite content. The work function and surface energy indicated that solid-solution nitrogen austenite exhibits a higher surface structural stability than austenite and ferrite. This study provides useful information for high-nitrogen steel weld corrosion.