Effect of Al on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of high-Mn steel

• The addition of Al changes the microstructure from austenite to austenite + ferrite. • Corrosion resistance was improved in both NaCl and NaHSO 3 solutions. • Al 2 O 3 improves oxide film integrity to reduce corrosion rate. Fe-16Mn-1.5C (wt%) steels with 0, 5 and 10 wt% Al content are prepared to investigate the effect of Al on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of high-Mn steel. When the Al content is 0 and 5 wt%, the samples exhibits a fully austenitic microstructure, whereas a ferritic microstructure appears in the sample with 10 wt% Al content. Electrochemical testing results show that the addition of Al improves the corrosion resistance of high-Mn steel in NaCl and NaHSO 3 solutions. Al changes the composition of the oxide film on the surface of the high-Mn steel during electrochemical testing, and the Al 2 O 3 film is beneficial for reducing the corrosion rate. Therefore, Al addition can improve the corrosion resistance of high-Mn steel.