Applications of Wrought Austenitic Stainless Steel Corrosion Testing to Laser Powder Bed Fusion 316L

Recent developments in the 3D printing of austenitic stainless steels have led to the need for standardization of electrochemical techniques used to assess the corrosion performance of these alloys. Currently, ASTM standards for austenitic stainless focus on assessing their resistance to different modes of corrosion such as pitting, crevice, and intergranular corrosion. Due to the complexity of the additive process, selective corrosion occurs in microstructural features such as cellular structures and melt pool boundaries. Standardized corrosion testing needs to incorporate these microstructural features. This study characterizes the corrosion behavior of laser powder bed fusion stainless steel in a variety of ASTM standards with special attention to melt pool boundary dissolution, cellular structures, and intergranular corrosion.

Automated summary

Recent developments in 3D printing of austenitic stainless steels have highlighted the need for standardized electrochemical techniques to assess their corrosion resistance. Currently, ASTM standards focus on assessing resistance to various types of corrosion, but the additive process can lead to selective corrosion in microstructural features. This study characterizes the corrosion behavior of laser powder bed fusion stainless steel according to ASTM standards, paying special attention to melt pool boundary dissolution, cellular structures, and intergranular corrosion.