Microstructure and corrosion behavior of hot-rolled GCr15 bearing steel

Microstructure, corrosion behavior and evolution of hot-rolled high-carbon–chromium bearing steel were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that corrosion initiates adjacent to the network carbide, which is the initial austenite grain boundary. With the further increase in corrosion time, corrosion fraction is increased and extended into the grains. Finally, the whole grain near the network carbide is etched off and the grain boundary is detached from the sample, which forms the corroded holes. Based on the EDS analyses, it is confirmed that this corrosion behavior is resulted from the depletion of Cr as solid solute at the grain boundary. The depletion of Cr is the result of the formation of Cr carbide near the grain boundary.