Stainless steel (AISI 304 [UNS S30400]) was evaluated as a function of prior cold work and several thermal sensitization treatments. Traditional experimental techniques such as ASTM A262, practice A; modified Strauss test; electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR); and electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation double-loop (EPRDL) were used. Microstructural studies also were conducted. Analysis of the results showed the presence of transgranular attack (TGA) and intergranular attack (IGA) and a transition phenomenon between them. The IGA and TGA contributions to this transition phenomenon were analyzed and quantified by a new procedure based on quantitative metallography performed by image analysis. Using this new methodology, it was possible to determine the most dangerous degrees of deformation for the development of intergranular corrosion (IGC), transgranular corrosion (TGC), intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC), and transgranular stress corrosion cracking (TGSCC) for different sensitization conditions.

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NACE International
2000
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