Characterization of sensitized surfaces and weldments of the unstabilized 304 stainless steel

Abstract

Sensitization of stainless steels has been posing serious problems to the industries. Techniques for rapid detection of sensitized surfaces are being probed throughout the world. Characterization over a wide behavioural range is essential for the above. Characterizes sensitized surfaces of AISI 304 stainless steel using impedance and tafel‐extrapolation techniques. Welded 304 stainless steel interfaces were subjected to dissolution tests, in different media, for assessing the effect of prolonged post‐stress relieving on the mitigation of surface dissolution. The corrosion rate values were correlated with the period of sensitization and Huey test results. The sensitized stainless steels were also subjected to electrochemical tests in different solutions. From the impedance behaviour of the sensitized surfaces in 3 per cent NaCl electrolyte, it was observed that the rate of fall in the polarization resistance may be used to monitor the extent of sensitization in 304 stainless steel, with better accuracy, than that in utilizing the polarization resistance itself.

Citation

Mukherjee, D., Muralidharan, S., Parthiban, G.T., Jayaperumal, D., Manoharan, S.P. and Balakrishnan, K. (1996), "Characterization of sensitized surfaces and weldments of the unstabilized 304 stainless steel", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 43 No. 6, pp. 4-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb007404