To decrease the turning-induced pitting susceptibility of laser-cladded Fe–Cr–Ni layer by low plasticity burnishing

Corrosion resistance of machined surface and its correlation with surface roughness have been the important concerns for sustainability of the final products. However, the pitting corrosion of laser-cladded Fe–Cr–Ni layers by turning exhibits susceptibility to surface roughness characteristics. In present study, the generation mechanism of pitting susceptibility by turning and the effect of burnishing on decreasing the pitting susceptibility were explored. To this end, a theoretical model of the potential difference between roughness peaks and valleys was established with considering the functional parameters of the surface roughness. Then, the correlations between the potential difference and pitting characteristics including pitting depth, width and area were analyzed in order to reveal the generation mechanism of pitting susceptibility. The occurrence of pitting corrosion could be predicted by the local potential difference, which was higher at the location where pitting corrosion would occur while lower where pitting corrosion did not occur. Finally, the influence of each functional parameter of surface roughness on the potential difference was analyzed using the proposed model, with which the machining schematics were discussed. On the basis of this research, it was expected to improve the corrosion resistance of the claddings by turning and subsequent burnishing process chain.