Studies on pitting corrosion and sensitization in laser rapid manufactured specimens of type 316L stainless steel

Abstract The pitting corrosion and sensitization in laser rapid manufactured specimens of type 316L stainless steel are studied and compared with its wrought and weld deposit (by plasma transferred arc welding-PTAW) counterparts. With respect to wrought specimens, the laser rapid manufactured specimens exhibited lower pitting corrosion resistance as well as higher degree of sensitization. However, pitting corrosion resistance of laser rapid manufactured specimens is largely similar to that of PTAW-deposited specimens. Relatively lower pitting corrosion resistance of laser rapid manufactured and PTAW-deposited specimens are attributed to their cast microstructure and associated micro-segregation effects as expected. Repeated exposure to sensitization temperature range (773–1073 K) during multiple layer deposition coupled with slower rate of cooling during later part of laser rapid manufacturing resulted in sensitization, giving rise to continuous corrosion attack along the grain boundaries. Solution annealing is found to be helpful in healing the associated chromium depletion and decreasing the degree of sensitization with modest improvement in pitting resistance. Primary mode of solidification in laser rapid manufactured specimens of type 316L stainless steel influenced potential sites for initiation of pitting corrosion. In primary ferrite solidified regions, initiation of pitting corrosion occurred preferentially at δ-ferrite/austenite boundaries whereas core of austenite cells/dendrites and grain boundaries were the preferred sites for initiation of pitting corrosion in primary austenite solidified regions. These studies provide insight into the basic corrosion mechanisms of laser rapid manufactured specimens of type 316L stainless steel.