The Effect of Chemical Surface Treatment on Corrosion Behaviour of Austenitic Stainless Steel

Robert Ulewicz

Austenitic stainless steels are considered to be materials with excellent corrosion resistance, and acceptable mechanical properties and therefore they are recommended for various industrial and biomedical applications. However they are prone to pitting corrosion in aggressive chloride environments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of temperature on the corrosion resistance of AISI 316Ti stainless steel with chemically treated surface (nitric acid passivated surface) in 1 M chloride solution. Evaluation of the corrosion resistance is based on the results of exposition immersion tests (visual and microscopic observation of attacked surfaces, mass losses of specimens) and the results of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests.