Microstructural aspects of the corrosion of Alloy 800

Transmission electron microscopy studies on solution-annealed Alloy 800 revealed small (100-200 nm), spherical-shaped titanium carbide (face centered cubic structure) and large (200 nm-5 mum), faceted titanium nitride (hexagonal structure) particles randomly distributed in the austenite matrix. The volume fraction of former particles was found to be greater than that of the latter. Corrosion studies of the alloy in acidic, chlorides and acidic chloride environments at room temperature indicated that the passivity of Alloy 800 was adversely affected by the addition Cl- ions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the surface film formed on the alloy at the onset of passivity consisted of Cr-3(+) (as Cr2O3), without any Fe-3(+)/Fe-2(+) or Ni-2(+). Scanning electron microscopy studies indicated initiation of pitting at large, faceted particles, not at small, spherical-shaped ones. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.