Intergranular corrosion of 304 stainless steel pickled in acidic electrolytes

Abstract Intergranular corrosion is induced after a single step pickling in HF electrolyte while not in HCl. The depth of intergranular corrosion obtained from a multi-step pickling is dependent on the successive sequence and duration of the two electrolytes used. Intergranular corrosion is deepened with increasing immersion time in HF.