Effects of Vanadium on Polarization of 18% Cr Ferritic Stainless Steel

Effects of alloying on the anodic polarization of a low interstitial, 18% chromium (Cr) ferritic stainless steel in sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) were examined. Vanadium (V) from 1 to 4% was added alone and with up to 1.5% nickel (Ni), silicon (Si), copper (Cu), and molybdenum (Mo). The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) level varied from 84 to 168 ppm. The alloys were stabilized with titanium (Ti) or niobium (Nb). Increasing V had a variable effect on passivation in 1 N H₂SO₄. The critical current density for passivation lowered. The breakdown potential also lowered. Stabilization with Ti prevented lowering of the breakdown potential. Ni addition to Cr-V-Ti alloys broadened the passive region of the alloys and lowered the minimum current density for passivation. Mo and Cu were beneficial, but Si had little effect on passivation. The alloys did not appear to undergo intergranular corrosion in the modified Strauss test.