Hydrogen trapping and electrochemical corrosion behavior of V–N microalloyed X80 pipeline steels consisting of acicular ferrite and polygonal ferrite

Hydrogen trapping behavior of V–N microalloyed X80 pipeline steels was studied by means of hydrogen permeation and hydrogen induced cracking(HIC)tests.In addition,the electrochemical performance of the steels in 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution was investigated.Results indicated that the microstructure of experimental steels mainly consisted of acicular ferrite and polygonal ferrite(PF).When the fraction of PF was 9.1%and 30.4%,hydrogen effective diffusion coefficient was 1.624×10^(−6) and 3.121×10^(−6) cm^(2)/s,respectively.The pipeline steels were not susceptible to HIC.Numerous potential hydrogen traps distributed in homogeneous dispersion were conducive to high HIC resistance.With increasing the fraction of PF from 9.1%to 30.4%,the corrosion current density increased from 5.39×10^(−6) to 9.49×10^(−6) A cm^(−2),the corrosion potential decreased from−0.48 to−0.57 V,and the charge transfer resistance decreased from 2301 to 2068Ωcm^(2),respectively.Increased fraction of PF was disadvantageous for corrosion resistance because of galvanic corrosion.

Characterization of Compactness of Rust Layers on Weathering Steels by an Adsorption/Dehydration Test of Ethanol

A new method for evaluating the compactness of rust layers on steels has been proposed in the present study. The method includes adsorption and dehydration process of anhydrous ethanol. The protective ability of rust layers can be qualitatively reflected by the adsorption/dehydration rates. The specific surface area and porosity of rust layers can be calculated by a quantitative model. The results from the present method are consistent with electrochemical tests, N2 adsorption and X-ray diffraction analysis. The method characterizes the compactness of rust layers rather than that of corrosion products removed from the metal surfaces, which is generally practiced in classic N2 adsorption method. Furthermore, the method can reflect the compactness of inner rust layers, to which N2 adsorption is unavailable. The method provides a new approach for the study of rust layers.

Microstructural Evolution and Properties of a High Strength Steel with Different Direct Quenching Processes

A high strength low alloy steel with low carbon equivalent was selected for simulating online direct quench- ing and coiling （DQ-C） process. The influence of stop quenching temperature on mechanical properties and micro- structures was studied and compared with normal direct quenching and tempering （DQ-T） process. The study con- firmed that required mechanical properties were obtained for both the processes. Properties of the experimental steel with DQ-C process could reach the same level as that of DQ-T process in general. In the DQ-C process, strength de- creased with increase in stop quenching temperature. Martensite was obtained and experienced an aging process at stop quenching temperature below Mi. On fast cooling below Mi, martensite was partially transformed and carbon partitioning occurred during slow cooling. The reduction in solid solution carbon and increased amount of retained austenite led to lower strength compared with the DQ-T process. DQ-C process was more favorable for microalloy carbide precipitation. However, impact toughness under different cooling conditions was adequate because of low car- bon equivalent and refined microstructure.