Mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of low carbon martensitic stainless steel after machining

The influence of different combinations of cutting conditions on the mechanical behaviour (microhardness), the microstructure and the corrosion behaviour in NaCl solution (using the electrochemical microcell technique and pulse potentiodynamic testing) of a low carbon martensitic stainless steel (grade X4CrNiMo16.5.1 stainless steel) after tempering treatment was studied. Microhardness was increased on the machined surface. In addition, the electrochemical experiments have shown that the machined materials have a heterogeneous electrochemical behaviour. Significant effect of machining on pitting corrosion was noticed. The pitting potential was found to decrease as the microhardness increase…