Corrosion Behavior of Cold Rolled Type 316L Stainless Steel in HCl-Containing Environments

The influence of HCl concentration and exposure temperature on the corrosion type and rate of annealed and cold rolled Type 316L stainless steel has been investigated. Cold rolling of up to 20% reduction was introduced, with potentiodynamic polarization measurements conducted in 10(-2) M to 3 M HCl aqueous solution. Results are compared to microstructures immersed under open-circuit conditions, and to HCl-laden droplet deposits at temperatures up to 80 degrees C. Corrosion type diagrams are introduced to describe the transition between uniform corrosion, mixed mode uniform with pitting corrosion, and pitting corrosion only, as a function of temperature, HCl concentration, and cold deformation. Cold rolling did not significantly affect corrosion rates, with only minor effects on the transition temperature between different corrosion types. The results are compared and discussed in light of existing literature, with comprehensive data presented for all exposure conditions.