Influence of alloying on the passive behaviour of steels in bicarbonate medium

The electrochemical behaviour of passive films on carbon steel, chromium steel and high speed steel (HSS) was studied in 0.5 M NaHCO ₃ . The influence of the presence of 10 mM potassium chloride on passive film stability, and of the heat treatment of chromium steel and HSS on the respective film properties, was also investigated. Polarization curves showed that the alloy composition exerts a significant influence on the onset of passive film formation, chromium and HSSs passivating more easily as a result of the higher alloying content. Values of passive current, obtained both potentiodynamically and at fixed potential, were higher for HSS than for carbon and chromium steels, which was attributed to the contributions of Mo and W to the passive film composition. The presence of chloride ion delays the passivation of chromium and HSSs, but does not interfere with passive film stability, as shown by the chronoamperometric profile and passive current values. In the case of carbon steel, with no alloying elements, chloride ion diminishes film stability but does not influence passive film formation. Heat treatment, which alters the microstructure, does not alter the properties of the passive films except for a small effect on those formed potentiodynamically on HSS.