Corrosion behaviour of 13Cr stainless steel under stress and crevice in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution

The corrosion behaviour of 13Cr stainless steel under stress and crevice in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution was studied by electrochemical measurements. It is demonstrated that the applied stress degrades the passive film, resulting in negative shift of pitting potential and enhanced susceptibility of pitting corrosion. The crevice corrosion of 13Cr stainless steel involves three stages: induction period, rapid development period and stable development period. In the coexistence of crevice and stress, the enhanced anodic reaction by applied stress accelerates the accumulation of H+ and Cl- ions inside crevice, which shortens the induction period and promotes the propagation of crevice corrosion.