Effect of Rolling Deformation on Corrosion Behaviour of AISI 304L in 3% NaCl Solution

It is well known that the mechanical resistance of austenitic stainless steels can be increased considerably by cold rolling process.¶ The cold rolling effect on corrosion resistance of AISI 304L stainless steel in 3% Sodium Chloride solution was investigated by potentiodynamic polarisation and by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). The pitting corrosion in this environment is related to the rate of cold deformation. The cold rolling induces important changes in the microstructure and involves phase transformation (γ→a'). The AISI 304L developes martensitic structure after 16% cold working. The potentiodynamic results show a moderate variation of the passivity zone, a remarkable decrease in the pitting potential and a free potential. The results also show an increase in the current density. However, it seems that the critical deformation rate appears to start at approximately 50% of the rolling deformation where the passivation current is minimal. After the polarisation tests, metastable pits are observed using SEM and the most probable initiation causes are discussed