Tribological properties of 304 stainless steel with rainwater corrosion

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 297; p. 127329
• Main Authors: Pang, Ming-hua, Zhai, Shuai-jie, Hu, Yi-kun, Zhang, Qiu-chen, Ma, Li-jie, Feng, Qi-gao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2023
• Subjects: 304 stainless steel; Rainwater corrosion; Tribological properties; Wettability; Wettability; Rainwater corrosion; Tribological properties; 304 stainless steel
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.127329

Aiming at exploring the influence of rainwater corrosion on the tribological properties of 304 stainless steel, the test samples were immersed in rainwater for corrosion with 6 h, 12 h, and 18 h respectively. The morphology, element content, and wettability of them before and after rainwater corrosion were obtained by white light interferometer, scanning electron microscope, energy spectrum, and contact angle measuring instrument. Then, the hardness and tribological properties were measured by Vickers hardness tester and MWF-500 reciprocating friction and wear tester. The experimental results show that the rainwater has an obviously corrosive effect on the 304 stainless steel surfaces. With the conducting of the corrosive process, the contents of N and S elements are increased which increase the hardness value, surface roughness, and wettability of test sample surface. In this case, the interfacial tribological properties is changed. Small friction coefficient is obtained, and the quantity and depth of surface scratch is decreased in dry friction. For lubricated case, the interfacial tribological properties is improved by rainwater, and small friction coefficient is obtained for corrosive samples. But, the quantity of scratch crack is increased due to the increasing of wear particles. The dissolution of metal impurities on the sample surface leads to the deterioration of the surface morphology, and the diffusion of N and S elements on the sample surface leads to the hardening and embrittlement of the sample surface, The main contribution of this work is in providing a reference for the 304 stainless steel corrosion protection. •The effect of rain environment on the tribological properties of 304 stainless steel surface was studied.•After rainwater corrosion, N and S metal compounds appear on the surface of the sample.•After rainwater corrosion, S and N elements diffuse on the sample surface, resulting in an increase in hardness.•Rainwater corrosion increases the surface roughness of the sample, resulting in enhanced hydrophilicity of the sample.