Potentiostatic Study of the Corrosion Behaviour of Austenitic Stainless Steel Weld Metal

Abstract

The corrosion behaviour of austenitic stainless steel weld metals has been studied potentiostatically with particular reference to marginally and moderately oxidising conditions. Sample welds covering the range of material composition and welding process in industrial use were employed.

Corrosion behaviour has been shown to be primarily determined by weld metal composition and micro-structure, choice of welding process having no significant effect. Susceptibility to a number of different types of preferential attack has been observed, and the practical significance of these has been considered.