Synergistic enhancement of corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties of stainless steel by cerium element

This research focuses on elucidating the influence of cerium (Ce) on the microstructural characteristics, corrosion resistance, and bacterial resistance of Fe-23Cr-25Ni-5.5Mo-0.2N super austenitic stainless steel (SASS) in its cast form. The experimental findings reveal that the incorporation of cerium leads to significant modifications in the material's microstructure, particularly by altering the quantity and distribution of precipitated phases and promoting microstructural refinement. It was observed that a moderate addition of cerium, up to a concentration of 1.0 weight percent (wt.%), markedly improves the corrosion resistance of the alloy, as evidenced by a substantial reduction in its corrosion rate. Conversely, exceeding this optimal cerium content (above 1.0 wt.%) results in a notable increase in the corrosion rate, indicating a detrimental effect at higher concentrations. A comprehensive analysis of the data reveals that the optimal balance between seawater corrosion resistance and SRB-induced corrosion resistance is achieved at a cerium concentration of 1.0 wt.%. This concentration represents the most favorable condition for enhancing the overall performance of the material.