Tests reveal why titanium additions do not fully prevent pitting corrosion in stainless steel
Researchers at Tohoku University have identified why titanium additions fail to fully prevent pitting corrosion in stainless steel. By analyzing the electrochemical properties of specific inclusions like MnS and Ti-based compounds, the study provides insights for creating more durable materials.
Why it matters
Understanding these microscopic interactions is critical for improving the longevity of stainless steel used in essential infrastructure, medical tools, and consumer goods.
edited by Swati Mestri , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add to Preferred Sources Credit: Tohoku University Stainless steel is widely used for its corrosion resistance, but it is not invincible. In environments containing chloride ions, such as seawater, pitting corrosion can occur. These pits often start at tiny particles called inclusions embedded in the steel.
Titanium (Ti) is commonly added to stainless steel to improve pitting corrosion resistance by converting easily dissolved manganese sulfide (MnS) into more stable Ti-containing sulfides. However, Ti addition does not completely prevent pitting, and the electrochemical properties of the various inclusions formed in Ti-containing stainless steel—and which of them can trigger pitting—have remained unclear.
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