Grain orientation dependent Nb-Ti microalloying mediated surface segregation on ferritic stainless steel

Abstract

<p>Surface segregation and oxide formation anisotropy on Ti-Nb stabilized ferritic stainless steel (EN 1.4521) were studied by XPS and Electron Backscatter Diffraction. Competitive surface segregation of Si, Nb and Ti was initiated at ∼550. °C, and segregation was favored to the open surface sites of 〈111〉 oriented grains. Furthermore, the surface segregation of Cr was strongly limited at the locations of stable Ti(CN)- and (NbTi)C-type precipitates. Consequently, the oxidation resistance of stainless steels can be enhanced cost-efficiently, without alloy additions, by optimizing the microstructure to facilitate the fast and uniform growth of protective oxide scale.</p>