Abstract:
In the study of pitting corrosion behaviors of metal by cyclic polarization method, the variables, which were evaluated from the cyclic polarization curve to identify pitting corrosion behavior, compose of Ep (pitting potential), Epr (protection potential), and hysteresis loop area. Ep is the potential which its film is destroyed. Epr is the protection potential or repassivation potential. Hysteresis loop is the area in the loop between Ep and Epr. The objectives of this research are to study the relationships between Ep, Epr, Ep-Epr and hysteresis loop area from the cyclic polarization curve of stainless steel AISI 409L, 439L, 316L and the pitting corrosion resistance in the term of pit density. The steels were tested in the sodium chloride solutions with concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.5 percent by weight and pH of 4, 7 and 10 at 25 degree Celsius. The starting potential was at a lower value of 0.25 volt than Ecorr (corrosion potential). Scan rate was 0.166 millivolt per second. The results from this study show that the increase of chloride in the solution resulted in the decrease of Ep, Epr, Ep-Epr and hysteresis loop area. However, in acid condition those parameter were lower than in base condition. When pH of solution increased, those parameter increased, except Epr. The result of AISI 409L, 439L and 316L stainless steel in 1.0 and 3.5 percent by weight of sodium chloride solution, showed that Ep, Ep-Epr and hysteresis loop area tended to increase when pH increased. On the other hand, Epr and pit density decreased with higher pH. From this study, the relationship between pit density and Ep, Epr and hysteresis loop area were in agreement with pitting corrosion resistant index. If the metal has high Ep, Epr and hysteresis loop area, it indicates that metal has high pitting corrosion resistant which results in lower pit density on metal surface. AISI 316L stainless steel has better pitting corrosion resistance than AISI 439L and 409L stainless steel by order.