The effects of prior-deformation on anodic dissolution kinetics and pitting behavior of 316L stainless steel

The effects of prior-deformation produced by cold roll on anodic dissolution and pitting behaviors of 316L stainless steel (SS) in sulfuric acid solutions with chlorides are investigated by electrochemical mesurements, materials microstructure anlysis and surface analysis techniques. Cold roll decreased the S3 CSL grain boundaries proportion and increased the local misorientation in 316L SS. The effect of cold roll was more significant in sulfuric acid solution with chlorides than in chloride-free solution. Chlorides and cold roll had a synergistic effect on accelerating anodic dissolution. The current densities under potentiostatic polarization, pits numbers and open pit diameters increased with increasing applied potentials for both solution annealed 316L SS and cold rolled 316L SS. Cold roll increased the number of pits and decreased the pit size at a certain applied potential.