The influence of ingot annealing on the corrosion resistance of a PrFeCoBNbP alloy

Abstract

The influence of the annealing time on the corrosion resistance of a Pr–Fe–Co–B–Nb alloy with the addition of 0.1 wt% P was investigated here using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The cast ingot alloys were annealed at 1100 °C for 10, 15 and 20 h. The specimens were immersed for 30 days in naturally aerated 0.02 M Na2HPO4 solution at room temperature, during which period the evolution of the electrochemical behavior was assessed using EIS. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of the Pr14FebalCo16B6Nb0.1P0.25 alloy was related to the annealing time and, hence, to its microstructure. Annealing at 1100 °C for 10 h was insufficient to eliminate the Fe-α phase from the alloy microstructure, whereas annealing for 15 and 20 h removed an increasing amount of Fe-α phase, thereby increasing the alloy's corrosion resistance.