Effect of Phosphate Surface Treatment on the Localized Corrosion Resistance of UNS G41400 Steel

This study investigated the localized corrosion behavior of a UNS G41400 steel surface treated with manganese phosphate. The phosphate coating, primarily composed of oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), and manganese (Mn) elements, had an approximate thickness of 6 mu m. The particles comprising the coating varied in size by several micrometers; smaller particles were mainly composed of O, P, Mn, and iron (Fe) elements, indicating incomplete formation of the manganese phosphate film. Potentiodynamic polarization curves revealed a decrease in anodic current after surface treatment and a shift in corrosion potential toward the noble direction after treatment. After immersion in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 96 hours, localized corrosion was observed, with some regions retaining residual phosphate film. Even though localized corrosion occurred on the treated surface, it was less severe than that on the untreated UNS G41400 steel surface. These findings suggest that manganese phosphate coating improved resistance to localized corrosion.