Influence of friction on the local mechanical and electrochemical behaviour of duplex stainless steels

The electrochemical behaviour of ferritic and austenitic phases in duplex stainless steel (UNS S32304) and the modifications induced by straining during sliding were studied by potentiodynamic polarisation curves determined at the microscale in a 1 M NaCl (pH 3) solution, using an electrochemical microcell. The mechanical properties and stress state of each phase were determined by microhardness and X-ray microdiffraction measurements, before and after straining. The results show that sliding generates elastic straining of the ferrite and plastic deformation of the austenite. The electrochemical behaviour of these phases is dramatically altered, inducing a reduction of the corrosion resistance and of the passivation properties.