Corrosion Behavior of Martensitic Stainless Steels ? Role of Composition and Heat Treatment Procedures

Martensitic stainless steels are used in many applications which demand high strength-toughness combination along with good corrosion resistance. Selection of these steels for corrosive environment is generally based on the carbon and chromium content of the steel, and their resistance to corrosion in the heat treated conditions, as the corrosion resistance of these steels depends on carbide volume fraction dissolved in matrix after austenitizing and on the carbide precipitation during tempering. This paper reviews the influence of the composition and the heat treatment procedures which are being followed to get optimum corrosion resistance of these steels.