Abstract
A relatively new research tool has been brought to bear on a relatively old problem. Mossbauer effect spectroscopy, in conjunction with X-ray diffraction techniques, were used to study the phenomenon of stainless steel sensitization. A ferromagnetic phase, thought to be pseudomartensite, has been found in sensitized Type 301. Stresses generated in the matrix by morphology changes of the precipitated carbides are deemed responsible for the creation of this phase. No such phase was detected in the Type 304L. It was confirmed that the precipitated carbides were of the complex type (Cr, Fe)2 3C6. Furthermore, it was established that these carbides are paramagnetic, In the presence of austenite, the mossbauer peak for the carbides is overshadowed
