Effects of nitrogen on the repassivation behavior of type 304L stainless steel in chloride solution

Abstract

Effects of nitrogen on the repassivation behavior of Type 304L (UNS S30403) alloy in a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution at 25 degreesC were investigated using a rapid scratched-electrode technique. The repassivation rate was faster in the alloy with nitrogen (0.1 wt%) than the alloy without nitrogen, Irrespective of their repassivation rate the reformation of passive film occurred three steps with different kinetics. The film growth during the repassivation process was evaluated by the high-field ion conduction model. The beneficial effect of nitrogen on the repassivation behavior of austenitic stainless steel was attributed to Cr enrichment in the passive film.