Microestructurals changes and corrosion resistance of the duplex stainless steel after laser surface remelting

Author(s)

Alex Maia do Nascimento

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica
• Defense date: 2005-12-07

Examining board members

Maria Clara Filippini Ierardi; Celia Marina de Alvarenga Freire; Hamilton Ferreira Gomes de Abreu

• Advisor: Maria Clara Filippini Ierardi

Abstract

The objective of this work is to observe the micros1ructural changes and effects on corrosion resistance of the duplex stainless steels UNS S32304 and S32205, commonly used by the petroleum industry, following the execution of laser surface remelting treatments. Various initial tests were carried out to determine the parameters for the experimental process. Following the optimum choice of parameters, microstructural changes were analyzed by means of optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Vickers Microhardness. In this way, data was obtained, which could then be compared with the starting condition of the alloys. In order to analyze the corrosive behavior of the alloys before and after the treatments, cyclic polarization tests were carried out. A solution of 3.5% NaCI (artificial sea water) was utilized, as duplex stainless steels are regularly used by the petroleum industry in offshore locations. The results obtained showed that when treated superflcially by laser, due to rapid resolidification, the alloys became almost ferritic, and since the leveI of nitrogen in the composition of both alloys is superior to their solubility limit in ferrite, a precipitation of Cr2N (chromium nitrides) occurred in the ferritic matrix, causing loss of corrosion resistance, thus signifying an increase in surface hardness (AU)