Crevice Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steels in Natural Sea Water with different Post Welding Treatment

Crevice corrosion of stainless steels in natural seawater was investigated for several post weld treatments; as-annealed, as-welded, pickled, and ground. The results confirmed the effect of the biofilm on the cathodic reaction leading to an ennoblement of the rest potential. The degree of ennoblement of corrosion potential depends on the surface finish. As-annealed and pickled samples show stable corrosion potential approaching to 200 ~ 300 mV (SCE) while as-welded and ground samples show the fluctuating corrosion potential. This points to a situation where there are conflicting effects determining the trend in free corrosion potential. Crevice corrosion initiation will tend to pull the free corrosion potential in the active direction, whereas the presence of biofilm will tend to ennoble corrosion potential. There was no visible attack on UNS S31803, S32550, and 2205W. Therefore, those stainless steel grades appeared to be resistant to crevice corrosion in natural seawater on condition of weld metal.