Effect of thermal aging on corrosion behavior of type 316H stainless steel in molten chloride salt

Abstract The effect of long-time thermal aging on corrosion behavior of type 316H stainless steel in molten chloride salt was studied. The results showed the long-time aging at 700 °C promoted the precipitation of both M23C6 carbide (dominant) and η phase at the grain boundaries and within the grains. Post-corrosion characterization showed the thermally-aged 316H experienced ~23% less weight loss than the as-received 316H and the Cr depleted region in the thermally-aged 316H was also much thinner than the as-received one. The mechanisms responsible for the different corrosion behaviors of the specimens were discussed based on the experimental observation.