Effect of uniaxial deformation to 50% on the sensitization process in 316 stainless steel

The effect of uniaxial deformation to 50% on the degree of sensitization (DOS) in 316 stainless steel was investigated at 625 and 670 °C for 5–100 h using the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) test. The results showed that the deformation accelerated the sensitization/desensitization process, especially at 670 °C. However, the material is still sensitized after up to 100 h of aging time. Transmission electron microscopy was used to corroborate these results. The deformed material showed more carbide precipitates (Cr23C6) at the grain boundaries and twin intersections than did the nondeformed material.