Effect of ultrasonic impact treatment on surface residual stress, microstructure and electrochemical properties of the hot-rolled S355 steel

The effects of ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) on the microstructure, corrosion resistance, and surface residual stress of hot-rolled S355 steel were investigated. In addition, the improving mechanism of the UIT induced corrosion resistance was discussed. The results show that the UIT can effectively improve the corrosion resistance of hot-rolled S355 steel, and corrosion current density reduction is demonstrated. Based on the corrosion morphology, it can be found that after the UIT the corrosion pits became shallower, the oxide layer becomes denser, and more flocculent structures appear on the surface as well as the appearance of dense irregular curved structures. Moreover, the residual tensile stress on the surface of the hot-rolled S355 steel is transformed into residual compressive stress after the UIT. The grains are refined, and the microhardness is increased, which implied that the significant plastic deformation has occurred on the surface of the hot-rolled S355 steel. The findings confirm that dense oxides could be generated on the surface of hot-rolled S355 steel treated by ultrasonic impact since the residual compressive stress is introduced, the plastic deformation is induced, and the grains are refined. •UIT can produce plastic deformation, refine grains and introduce residual compressive stress.•The dense oxide layer and an irregular curved surface structure after UIT can hinder the corrosion of Cl−.•Residual compressive stress can prevent the generation and propagation of cracks.