Correlation between evolution of inclusions and pitting corrosion in 304 stainless steel with yttrium addition

Effects of the evolution of inclusions on the pitting corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel with different contents of the rare-earth element yttrium (Y) were studied using thermodynamic calculations, accelerated immersion tests, and electrochemical measurements. The experimental results showed that regular Y2O3 inclusions demonstrated the best pitting resistance, followed in sequence by (Al, Mn)O inclusions, the composite inclusions, and irregular Y2O3 inclusions. The pitting resistance first decreased, then increased, and then decreased again with increasing Y content, because sulfide inclusions were easily generated when the Y content was low and YN inclusions were easily generated at higher Y contents. The best pitting corrosion resistance was obtained for 304 stainless steel with addition of 0.019% Y.