Corrosion behavior of TiC particle-reinforced 304 stainless steel

TiC particle-reinforced 304 stainless steels were prepared using a new developed in situ technology and their corrosion behavior was compared with that of 304SS in 5 wt.% HCl solution. As compared to 304SS, Ecorr, Epit and Erp values had shifted to a more negative region in 304SS containing TiC, indicating faster corrosion rate by TiC addition. The addition of TiC particles to 304SS resulted in no rapid pit propagation but maintained a high corrosion rate in the whole immersion time investigated.

► Ecorr, Epit and Erp had shifted to a more negative region in 304SS by TiC addition.
► The addition of TiC particles to 304SS resulted in no rapid pit propagation.
► The preferential corrosion had possibly occurred at the steel matrix/TiC interface.
► Many pits were observed in 304SS, while they disappeared in 304SS containing TiC.