Effect of Austenitizing Ratio on the Delta Ferrite Volume Fraction and Corrosion Resistance of Shell Mold Cast SSC13 Elbow Fitting

In this study, the measurement of FN (ferrite volume fraction) and the solution annealing ratio at a temperature of were determined with 15A elbow fittings of shell cast SSC13, and the corrosion resistance with and without austenitizing solution annealing were investigated in comparison with AISI304. The delta ferrite phase was observed in the material due to the slow cooling effect of the shell mold casting. However, the delta ferrite phase decreased gradually with the solution annealing at a temperature of . The hardness generally decreased with a heat treatment; however, its corrosion resistance was improved with the heat treatment. In addition, when a passivation treatment was applied, its corrosion ratio showed the lowest value. The pattern of general corrosion decreased due to the decrease in the delta ferrite phase with the solution annealing treatment. Consequently, it is suggested that the corrosion resistance of SSC13 elbow fittings can be improved by increasing the ratio of any solution annealing treatment used and by decreasing the ferrite phase. The relationship between the ratio of solution annealing and delta ferrite is expressed as follows: SA (solution annealing ratio,%) = 98 - FN (ferrite volume fraction, %).