Influence of surface structure on corrosion behaviour of welded stainless steel AISI 316L

The work deals with influence of surface finishing on corrosion behaviour of austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L welded by TIG method without filler. Surfaces of the welded stainless steel were modified by mechanical treatment methods (grinding, garnet blasting, chemical method (pickling) and combination of both methods. Experimental procedures included the use of immersion and electrochemical tests where iron chloride (FeCl3) and sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions were used as test electrolytes. The surfaces of the specimens were examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results confirmed the significant influence of mechanical as well as chemical surface treatment on corrosion behaviour of the welded stainless steel AISI 316L in various chloride solutions.