Abstract Duplex stainless steels (DSS) are used in off-shore platforms due to their good properties resulting from the combination of two phases, namely austenite and ferrite. Secondary intermetallic phases, such as alpha prime (α´) and sigma (σ), which are harmful, can be formed at temperatures above 400 °C, or by a casting process. This study investigates the formation of sigma phase by thermal cycles running in a dilatometer (800 °C, 850 °C, 900 °C and 1,000 °C) for 1h, and at 850 °C for 3h and 7h. The optical microscopy of the DSS microstructure subjected to 800, 850 and 900 °C for one hour revealed a small fraction of σ phase with nucleation in the contour of ferrite/austenite phases, and tests by ferritoscope indicated a decrease (~4%) in a magnetic fraction (ferrite). However, samples subjected to dilatometric cycles at 850 °C for 3 hours showed an 18% decrease in the magnetic phase and quantitative metallography revealed a 33% fraction of σ phase precipitated in the ferrite phase. Tests conducted at 850 ºC for 7 hours indicated a high fraction of σ phase precipitated (approximately 50%), starting in the grain boundary, austenite/ferrite, and advancing in ferrite grain.

Superduplex stainless steels (SSS) composed in both equal fraction ferritic-austenite phases, classically defined by ASTM A995M Gr.5A, in order to obtain a better relation of mechanical properties and corrosion properties, are applied as components for use in petrochemical industries in off-shore platforms. The corrosion resistance of stainless steels is due to the oxides formed on the surface, which is dependent on the temperature and environment in which they are exposed. This paper investigates a microstructure duplex during steps of thermal attack under vacuum at high temperatures through observation of the coloration and growth of oxide films. Some coloration was observed in the phases, austenite and ferrite, with the increase of the temperature to 1100 ºC, which is indicative of the presence of chromium and iron oxides. In the cooling occurs the stability of oxides present in the films. Electrochemical tests were conducted in H2S/CO2-saturated in two different concentrations of chloride sodium electrolyte, simulating a seawater environment. Potentiodynamic polarization curves indicate that pitting corrosion resistance and repassivation process in media of 3.5 and 9.0% (wt.%) NaCl are not affected by the presence of H2S/CO2 (40/60 ppm) at room temperature (25 ºC).

Neste trabalho é feito um estudo do comportamento eletroquímico de eletrodos formados por pó de ligas de hidreto metálico do tipo AB5 com formulações LaNi(5-x)Zx, onde Z é um elemento metálico que substitui parcialmente o Ni, que inclui Sn, Al, Mn e Pd. No caso do Mn, algumas estruturas do tipo AB6 são também consideradas. A substituição de uma pequena fração do Ni pelo Al, Sn e Mn (x <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 0.3) promove um aumento da capacidade de armazenamento de hidrogênio (CAH), enquanto que o Pd leva à um decréscimo desta propriedade. Em geral todas as ligas apresentam alta CAH inicial, mas exibem baixa estabilidade. Foi observado que a diminuição da pressão de equilíbrio de hidrogênio em função do teor de Mn, nas ligas AB5, relaciona-se diretamente com o aumento do volume da cela cristalina unitária. Através de experimentos de impedância eletroquímica nota-se um aumento significativo da cinética de reação de hidretação/desidretação com o aumento do número de ciclos de carga/descarga do eletrodo, devido ao aumento da área ativa. Também foi observado que, no geral, as ligas que apresentam maior CAH são aquelas que possuem menor energia de ativação para a reação de oxidação de hidrogênio.

This work reports studies on the electrochemical behavior of AB5-type hydrogen storage alloys, formed by LaNi(5-x)Zx, where Z is a metallic element partially replacing Ni, which included Sn, Al, Mn, and Pd. In the case of Mn, some AB6-type structures were also considered. Substitution of a small fraction of Ni by Al, Sn, and Mn (x <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 0.3) leads to an increase of the hydrogen storage capability (HSC), while for Pd there is a decrease of this property. Generally all alloys presenting larger initial HSC exhibit lower stability. A decrease of the hydrogen equilibrium pressure as a function of Mn content is observed for the AB5 alloys and this is related to an increase of the crystalline unit cell volume. Electrochemical impedance measurements show a significant increase of the hydration/dehydration reaction kinetics due to a raise on the active area as a function of the charge/discharge cycle number. It is also seen that the alloys presenting larger HSC are those showing smaller activation energies for the hydrogen oxidation reaction.