Effects of Si and Sn Contents and Heat-Treatment Temperature on the Corrosion Behavior of AISI 439 Ferrite Stainless Steel

This study was conducted to evaluate the corrosion resistance and optimize the heat-treatment process of AISI 439 ferrite stainless steel silicon and tin alloys with reduced chromium. The microstructure of the specimens and deposition under each condition were analyzed. The production of oxide films was compared based on the thickness of the film and the change in the contents of each element. In addition, electrochemical analyses of each heat-treatment condition was used to quantitatively compare corrosion resistance and passive film stability based on the relative chromium, silicon, and tin contents. It was found that the addition of silicon and tin compensated for the decrease in corrosion resistance induced by the chromium reduction. The addition of the two elements inhibited iron (Fe) oxide production in the surface oxide film, thereby improving the corrosion resistance of the material and improving the stability of the passive film. Moreover, the SiO2 and SnO2 layers inhibited the production of Fe oxide and contributed to the stability of the film along with Cr2O3, the main component of the passive film. However, when the heat treatment temperature increased above a specific temperature, the oxide inhibitory effect of the two elements was relatively offset. Nevertheless, further research to optimize the content of the three elements will help develop materials with superior mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.