Microstructure modifications and corrosion behaviors of Cr4Mo4V steel treated by high current pulsed electron beam

Research highlights: → Using high energy pulsed electron beam to modify Cr4Mo4V steel surface properties. → Electron beam irradiation induces crater-like defects on the surface of the steel. → After irradiation, retained austenite formed in the remelted layer of the steel. → Electron beam irradiation improves the corrosion resistance of the steel. - Abstract: In this work, Cr4Mo4V steel was irradiated by high energy current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) with energy density of 6 J/cm2. Morphology and phase composition of the surface layer were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GXRD). The crater-like morphology was observed on surface after HCPEB treatment, and the thickness of melted layer was ∼7 μm. Results from GXRD revealed that HCPEB treatment could suppress martensite transition and the content of retained austenite in the melted layer increased with irradiation number. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical polarization tests in neutral 3.5% NaCl solution. Compared with the untreated Cr4Mo4V steel, corrosion potential of the samples treated by HCPEB improved and the corrosion current density decreased. The improved corrosion resistance is attributed to the absence of the carbide, formation of retained austenite and dissolution of alloy elements, particularly of Cr and Mo, into the matrix.