The corrosion resistance of laser surface alloyed stainless steels

Purpose: Of this paper was to examine the corrosion resistance of laser surface alloyed (LSA) stainless steels using electrochemical methods in 1M NaCl solution and 1M H₂So₄ solution. The LSA conditions and alloying powder placement strategies on the material's corrosion resistance were evaluated. Design/methodology/approach: In the present work the sintered stainless steels of different microstructures (austenitic, ferritic and duplex) where laser surface alloyed (LSA) with elemental alloying powders (Cr, FeCr, Ni, FeNi) and hard powders (SiC, Si₃N₄) to obtain a complex steel microstructure of improved properties. Findings: The corrosion resistance of LSA stainless steels is related to process parameters, powder placing strategy, that determines dilution rate of alloying powders and resulting steel microstructure. The duplex stainless steel microstructure formed on the surface layer of austenitic stainless steel during LSA with Cr and FeCr reveal high corrosion resistance in 1M NaCl solution. The beneficial effect on corrosion resistance was also revealed for LSA with Si₃N₄ for studied steels in both NaCl and H₂SO₄ solutions. Ferritic stainless steel alloyed with Ni, FeNi result in a complex microstructure, composed of austenite, ferrite, martensite depending on the powder dilution rate, also can improve the corrosion resistance of the LSA layer. Research limitations/implications: The LSA process can be applied for single phase stainless steels as an easy method to improve surface properties, elimination of porosity and densification and corrosion resistance enhancement regarding as sintered material. Practical implications: The LSA of single phase austenitic stainless steel in order to form a duplex microstructure on the surface layers result in reasonably improved corrosion performance. Originality/value: The original LSA process of stainless steels (austenitic, ferritic and duplex) was studied regarding corrosion resistance of the alloyed layer in chloride and sulphate solutions.