Computational Thermodynamics-Aided Design of (Cr-Mo-W-V) Steels with Enhanced Corrosion and Abrasion Resistance

The study evaluates the microstructure, abrasion resistance, and corrosion behavior of newly designed cost-effective (Cr-Mo-W-V) steels. Six steels were designed with the help of computational thermodynamics to achieve a ferritic or duplex matrix with embedded hard carbides. The precursors of alloying elements were two commercial steels, namely HCx (R) and 316L. The wet abrasion tests and the corrosion tests revealed that the designed Cr-Mo-W-V steels have remarkable abrasion and corrosion resistance compared to the expensive commercial steel used as a precursor (HCx (R)). The least alloyed steel had the highest abrasion resistance owing to its low matrix/carbide hardness ratio and the presence of small intragranular carbides that led to a greater influence of the microstructure on the abrasion resistance than the hardness. Nickel played a key role in the formation of a passivation layer before the onset of corrosion; however, it must be added along with chromium and molybdenum for improved performance.

Automated summary

The study evaluates the microstructure, abrasion resistance, and corrosion behavior of newly designed cost-effective (Cr-Mo-W-V) steels. The designed Cr-Mo-W-V steels have remarkable abrasion and corrosion resistance, with the least alloyed steel showing the highest abrasion resistance.