Cavitation erosion-corrosion behaviour of Fe-10Cr martensitic steel microalloyed with Zr in 3.5 % NaCl solution

Highlights: • The inclusions with Zr in the new steel were small and distributed evenly. • The passivation ability and corrosion resistance of the steel was improved by Zr. • The Zr microalloying steel showed the best cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance. • A white layer appeared on the surface of the new steels after cavitation erosion. The corrosion and cavitation erosion-corrosion behaviour of two newly developed Fe-10Cr martensitic steels were investigated in 3.5 % NaCl solution compared with 304 stainless steel. It is found that the passivation ability of the martensitic steel was improved and the corrosion rate was decreased by the addition of Zr. The mass loss test showed that the martensitic steels, especially the steel microalloyed with Zr had better cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance than 304 stainless steel. Further characterisation of the white layer on the damaged surface indicated that the addition of Zr changed the cavitation erosion-corrosion mechanism of the martensitic steel.