Microstructure and corrosion behavior of the AISI 304 stainless steel after Nd:YAG pulsed laser surface melting

Different laser energy densities were utilized to treat AISI 304 stainless steel via Nd:YAG pulsed laser surface melting (LSM). The surface composition and microstructure of the stainless steel were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In particular, the corrosion behaviors of the stainless steel surface without and with LSM were evaluated by the electrochemical polarization measurement in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution at room temperature. The results showed that the stainless steel surface without LSM suffered severe localized pitting under the testing conditions. A thin surface oxide protective layer was produced on the stainless steel surface with LSM, which considerably improved the corrosion resistance properties of the stainless steel. The height differences of the corrosion regions on the stainless steel surface with LSM were measured to establish more corrosion resistant region, using scanning confocal laser microscopy. The underlying corrosion mechanism of the stainless steel with LSM was revealed.