Assessment of the electrolyte composition in the degree of sensitization in AISI 347H stainless steel

Abstract

This study evaluated the suitability of the depassivator in revealing low degrees of sensitization (DOS) in samples of wrought AISI 347H austenitic stainless steel in the as-received condition and solution heat treated (SHT) at 1050°C. Assessment of the electrolyte composition was performed by the double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (DL-EPR) test at room temperature. The electrolyte 1.0M H2SO4 + 0.50M HCl was found to be adequate for detecting low DOS. Microstructural characterization of the as-received material revealed the presence of Cr-rich carbides. These carbides were responsible of the susceptibility to IGC.