Dissolution of chromium-enriched inclusions and pitting corrosion of resulfurized stainless steels

The dissolution of MnS inclusions enriched in chromium (30 to 40 wt pct Cr) and the corrosion susceptibility of resulfurized stainless steel were studied in various NaCl- and NaClO^sub 4^-based solutions by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the electrochemical microcell technique. It has been shown that chromium-enriched inclusions do not undergo dissolution under free corrosion conditions. By contrast, electrochemical dissolution of inclusions occurs at high potential values (above 500 mV vs saturated calomel electrode) in all the solutions, followed by stable pitting. It has also been shown that some areas containing chromium-enriched inclusions exhibited stable pitting at low potentials (below 100 mV vs saturated calomel electrode) in the electrolytes with chloride ions. Field-emission SEM experiments have revealed that the matrix undergoes dissolution around these inclusions. An assumption is proposed for describing pitting corrosion mechanisms. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]