The Effect of Trace Boron on Corrosion Resistance of the Casted 0.04C-16Cr Ferritic Stainless Steels in H2SO4 Medium

Abstract

Three groups of 0.04C-16Cr ferritic stainless steels, with boron quality score of 0ppm, 16ppm and 26ppm, were smelted by a vacuum induction furnace. The chemical soak method, the tafel polarization curve method and the anode circular polarization curve method were used to research their general corrosion and intergranular corrosion resistance. The results showed that both general corrosion and intergranular corrosion of the casted 0.04C-16Cr ferritic stainless steels happened in dilute H2SO4 medium. The resuluts of electrochemical and chemical soak indicate that the addition of B improves intergranular corrosion resistance of 0.04C-16Cr stainless steel, moreover, the intergranular corrosion resistance increases with an increasing content of B. The addtion of B makes the general corrosion rate and self-corrosion current density of the 0.04 C-16Cr stainless steel reduced at active dissolution region in dilute sulphuric acid medium, so the general corrosion resistance of the 0.04 C-16Cr stainless steel is improved. The blunt-dimensional current density of the steel with 26ppm B is the lowest and the passivation zone of it is wider, so the stability of passive film and protection capacity of the steel with 26ppm B are the best. The electrochemical characteristics of general corrosion coincided with the results of soak corrosion.