Investigating the nature of passive films on austenitic stainless steels

Abstract

AbstractThe formation and breakdown of the passive film on stainless steels are mainly controlled by ionic and electronic transport processes. Both these processes are in part controlled by the electronic properties of the oxide film. Consequently it is vital to gain a detailed perception of the electronic properties of the passive films together with structural information for a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms behind passivity and localised corrosion. As a step towards this goal the passive films formed on three main austenitic stainless steels AISI 316L, AISI 304 and AISI 254SMO in borate solution were characterised by in situ Raman spectroscopy and photocurrent spectroscopy coupled with electrochemical measurements.