Determining Factors for the Protectiveness of the Passive Film of FeCrN Stainless Steel Formed in Sulfuric Acid Solutions

In NaCl solutions acidified with H 2 SO 4 , Fe20Cr1.1N alloy showed enhanced pitting corrosion resistance than Fe20Cr alloy. An XPS analysis revealed that the passive film of Fe20Cr1.1N alloy contained higher cationfraction of Cr than that of Fe20Cr alloy, and nitrogen was incorporated into the film. In addition, it was found that the passive film of Fe20Cr1.1N alloy was thinner and had higher oxygen vacancy density than that of Fe20Cr alloy. Based on these observations, it was concluded that the chemical composition was the determining factor for the protectiveness of the passive film of Fe20Cr based alloy in dilute H 2 SO 4 solution.