Effects of annealing temperature on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of 30% Cr super ferritic stainless steel

A newly designed super ferritic stainless steel (FSS), i.e. 30Cr-4Mo-2Ni, was developed for use in severe environments, such as sulfuric acid. The annealing temperature had a significant effect on the precipitation behaviors of the steel, and ultimately on its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The results showed that the designed steel exhibits higher strength, higher hardness, lower elongation and far superior corrosion resistance than ordinary FSS. Detrimental Laves phases are readily precipitated in this steel, so suitable annealing parameters is necessary to change the precipitation behavior and promote the dissolution of Laves phases, and then render this economically produced steel, corrosion resistant to sulfuric acid. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.