Influence of Sigma Phase on Pitting Resistance Depending on Solidification Mode in AISI316L Weld Metal

The pitting corrosion resistances were investigated in the AISI 316L stainless steel weld metals with respect to the sigma phase precipitation in a 0.1 M NaCl solution. The modified flux-cored arc welding filler wires were fabricated at various chromium and nickel equivalent ratios using the flux-cored arc welding process. As the Cr/Ni equivalent ratio increased, the precipitated σ phase content increased in the temperature range of 923 K to 1123 K (650 °C to 850 °C), and the specimen that was aged at 1123 K (850 °C) precipitated the σ phase rapidly. The hardness increased with increasing sigma contents. During the potentiodynamic anodic polarization test, the specimens that were aged at 923 K to 1123 K (650 °C to 850 °C) exhibited lower pitting potentials than the as-weld metal. Additionally, the specimens that were aged for longer times exhibited lower pitting potentials. The pits occurred preferentially in the ductility dip cracking in specimen 1, whereas intergranular pits occurred in the sigma phase regions along the vermicular ferrite and acicular ferrite grain boundaries in specimens 2 and 3.