The Effects of Cryogenic Treatment on the Corrosion of AISI D3 Steel

Abstract

It is well known that cryogenic treatment is used to improve the mechanical properties of a material. Consequently, the use of cryogenic treatment has grown beyond its successful application on tool steels. In this research, the effects of cryogenic treatment on the corrosion of AISI D3 steel in 3.5% NaCl solution were examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The surface structure of the AISI D3 steel was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after the EIS investigations. Results clearly indicated that the pre-treatment of the steel was responsible for a significant effect on corrosion. The heat treatment process prior to the cryogenic treatment and the tempering process after were shown to decrease corrosion resistance. Uygur et al. 570 Materials Research Keywords: corrosion, cryogenic treatment, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, AISI D3 steel Material and MethodsElectrochemical measurements were carried out in a three-electrode type cell with separate compartments for the reference electrode (Ag/AgCl), the counter (Pt) and the working (AISI D3 steel) electrodes having an area of 0.5 cm². The surfaces of the working electrode were prepared by grinding with 400-1800 grade abrasive paper, rinsing with distilled water and then degreasing with acetone. During the measurements, the solution was stirred with a magnetic stirrer (500 rot/min). The composition of AISI D3 steel is given in Table 1.Four types of uncoated AISI D3 steel samples were used: conventionally heat treated, 24 h cryogenically treated, 36 h cryogenically treated and 36 h cryogenically treated and then 2 h tempered at 150 °C. The cryogenic treatment for the AISI D3 samples was achieved by gradually lowering them from room temperature to -145 °C at the cooling rate of about 5 °C/min and holding at this cryogenic temperature for 24 h or 36 h, then gradually bringing them back to room temperature at the heating rate of 5 °C/min. The scheme in Figure 1 shows the various treatments and treatment cycles applied to the samples. The tempering of the AISI D3 steel was performed in a muffle furnace with the capacity of 9 kW, 380 V and 1200 °C.After the AISI D3 steel samples were prepared as described above (Figure 1), their corrosion behaviour in a 3.5% NaCl medium was then examined. For the investigation, abridged labels were used for the AISI D3 steel sample qualifications (Table 2). Thus, the following discussion will be made easier by referring to these codes. Electrochemical measurementsThe electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were performed using a Reference 600 Gamry Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA (M/S Gamry Instruments, USA). Before EIS measurement, each sample was immersed in the corrosion cell and allowed to stabilise for 2 h. The EIS studies were performed by imposing a sinusoidal voltage of 10 mV amplitude as the open circuit potential of the working electrode. The frequency was varied between 100 kHz and 1 mHz. Surface morphology studiesAfter the EIS measurements, surface analyses of the worki...

Tribocorrosion and Electrochemical Behavior of DIN 1.4110 Martensitic Stainless Steels After Cryogenic Heat Treatment

“…These results show that wear in the presence of a corrosive medium for martensitic stainless steel DIN 1.4110 is an aggressive condition for the material's integrity. Since chloride-containing media are very common in cutlery and the food industry 24 , wear can strongly compromise the components' integrity. Dodds et al 9 studied wear on a friction stir welding process applied on martensitic AISI 420 stainless steel.…”

Weight losses estimation of industrial punch tools

“…This operation has involved hardening and tempering ( Fig. 1) [16,17]. The PCE-778 Laser Thermometer is a device used to measure temperature using an infrared laser at a specified distance.…”

Electrochemical Impedance Analysis on Cryogenically Treated Dissimilar Metal Welding of 316L Stainless Steel and Monel 400 Alloy Using GTAW

“…The applications of this treatment are extended to other materials [11]. Ilyas Uygur et al (2015) used electrochemical impedance analysis to study the corrosion resistance of D3 steel, using NaCl environment, and they observed significant improvements in corrosion resistance [12]. Potentiodynamic analysis and electrochemical impedance analysis are widely used to analyze the corrosion resistance of welded joints.…”