Electrochemical behaviour of high nitrogen stainless steel in acidic solutions

The electrochemical behaviour of high nitrogen stainless steel in acidic solutions was studied by potentiodynamic polarization, EIS, Mott-Schottky and XPS. The passive film formed in neutral NaCl solution was very stable, but the stability of the film decreased with the addition of H2SO4 into the solution. The passive film formed in acidic Na2SO4 has a superior protective ability than that in acidic NaCl solution. The stability of the film formed in tested solution decreased with increase of applied potentials. The film formed on steel surface was of n-type semiconductor. Chloride penetration mechanism was proposed for the observed passive film breakdown. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.