Effect of Surface Finish on the Pitting Corrosion Behavior of Sensitized AISI 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel Alloys in 3.5% NaCl Solutions

The effect of surface condition down to 120 and 1000-grit finish, corresponding to 1.47 and 0.06 microns RMS (Root Mean Square), respectively, on the pitting corrosion behavior of sensitized and mill-annealed AISI (American iron and steel institute) 304 stainless steel was studied in 3.5% NaCl solutions at 23 and 50 degrees C by electrochemical methods. The polarization curves have revealed a clear dependence of pitting corrosion on the surface finish, on the degree of sensitization, as well as on the test temperature. Surface condition has made a significant contribution to pit initiation in that the pitting potential was lowered as the surface roughness increased. The deleterious effect of surface roughness on the pitting potential of the AISI 304 stainless steel alloy in 3.5% NaCl is more pronounced on sensitized samples and becomes more evident with increasing sensitization time and test temperature.