Journal of The Electrochemical Society · 1959 · 133 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceCorrosion ScienceMetallurgyPhysical ChemistryCorrosion EngineeringCorrosion MechanismsCorrosion Of SteelsCorrosion-resistant MaterialsIntergranular CorrosionStainless SteelsAustenitic Stainless Steel CorrosionAustenitic Stainless SteelsAustenitic SteelsChromium Carbide PrecipitationGrain BoundariesIntergranular Attack In Stainless SteelsStainless Steel CorrosionSteels
Corrosion of stainless steels by nitric acid is determined largely by the crystallography of grain boundaries, with preferential attack even on annealed steels, and the same crystallographic factors also govern chromium carbide precipitation. Increasing the rate of dissolution, either by an anodic current or by oxidizing cations, intensifies intergranular penetration. Their presence leads to a very great intensification of intergranular attack, as does sigma phase, even as an invisible, pre‑precipitation constituent.
Corrosion of stainless steels by nitric acid is determined largely by the crystallography of grain boundaries. There is preferential attack even on annealed steels. Increasing the rate of dissolution, either by an anodic current or by oxidizing cations, intensifies intergranular penetration. The same crystallographic factors which determine preferential corrosion also determine the precipitation of chromium carbides. Their presence leads to a very great intensification of intergranular attack, as does sigma phase, even as an invisible, pre‐precipitation constituent.