Effect of rare earth elements La and Ce on corrosion resistance of low alloy steel

Abstract

In this paper, low alloy steel was added with different content of rare earth elements La and Ce. Corrosion monitoring sensors were used to collect corrosion data in 0.5 wt% NaCl solution(pH = 4). The microstructure and inclusions of low-alloy steel with different rare earth(RE) contents were analyzed. The mechanism of the effect of La and Ce on the corrosion resistance of low alloy steel was determined by wet/dry cyclic immersion test, combined with electrochemical analysis, morphology of corrosion products and phase analysis. Finally, the optimal amount of Rare earth elements was determined to improve the corrosion resistance of low alloy steel.