2025-03-29https://repository.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/36816The corrosion resistance of quenched 420 martensitic and annealed 316 austenitic stainless steels were evaluated through coupon analysis, potentiodynamic polarization technique and optical microscopy in 1-6M H2SO4 and HCl acid media. Results show that the heat treated 316 stainless steel had a significantly higher corrosion rate than the 420 martensitic steel. Heat treatment greatly improved the corrosion resistance and passivation characteristics of the martensitic steel at all acid concentrations studied with an average percentage improvement of 62% and 56.2% in corrosion rate from H2SO4 and HCl acid. The heat treated austenitic steel showed limited change in corrosion resistance with an average percentage improvement of 30.9% and 29.25% in corrosion rate from H2SO4 and HCl acid. Micrographs from optical microscopy showed a less corroded morphology for martensitic steel in comparison to the austenitic steel due to the presence of retained austenite and martensite formationapplication/pdfT Technology (General), TJ Mechanical engineering and machineryArticle