Effect of Martensite Morphologies on Corrosion in 5% H2SO4 Solution of Borided X70 Dual Phase Steel

Received: 12 November 2020 Accepted: 9 January 2021 In the present investigation, some electrochemical properties of dual phase X70 steels with different martensite morphologies which have undergone boriding were studied. To obtain a variety of martensite morphologies, Direct Quenching (DQ), Intermediate Quenching (IQ) and Step Quenching (SQ) heat treatments were applied at an intercritical annealing temperature (IAT) of 760°C. The treatment (DQ) allowed the formation of fine martensite evenly distributed in the ferrite matrix. (IQ) treatment showed the formation of martensite along the ferrite / ferrite grain boundaries. In contrast, treatment (SQ) induced the formation of a banded morphology of martensite and ferrite. The realization of borides on X70 (DP) steel was carried out in a powder mixture containing 5% of B4C as source of boron, 5% of NaBF4 as activator and 90% of SiC as diluent at 950°C for a period of time from 4 h. The corrosion behavior of X70 (DP) steel has been explored by the Tafel extrapolation method in a 5 wt. % H2SO4 solution. The corrosion resistance of steel which has undergone boriding (BDP) is higher than that of steel which has not undergone it (DP).