Effect of electrolyte solutions on the electrochemical dissolution behavior of additively manufactured Hastelloy X superalloy via laser solid forming

Abstract The electrolyte solution significantly affects electrochemical machining. This study investigates the electrochemical dissolution behavior of a laser solid formed Hastelloy X nickel-based superalloy in 15 wt% NaNO3, 7.5 wt% NaNO3 + 7.5 wt% NaCl, and 15 wt% NaCl solutions. The Cl- ions in the electrolyte solution accelerates the passive dissolution rate because the electrochemical reactions at the metal/film and film/solution interfaces are promoted. During the transpassive dissolution process, the Cl- ions in the electrolyte solution weaken the hindering effect of the transpassive film on the dissolution process, resulting in a faster transpassive dissolution rate and a higher current efficiency. Furthermore, the flatness of the dissolved surface in the chloride-containing solution is significantly higher than that in the chloride-free solution. Two models are proposed to illustrate the passive and transpassive dissolution behaviors. This study provides theoretical guidance for the selection of electrolyte solutions for the electrochemical machining of laser solid formed nickel-based superalloys.