130.
In the present work 316LN as well as 316 stainless steel (SS) coupons each of dimensions (0.025 × 0.018 × 0.006 m
3) in well-polished condition were used as two nominal electrodes which were immersed in the aerated solution of 0.5 M NaCl.
Correlated current and potential electrochemical noise (EN) signals were collected at 1 Hz sampling frequency for 1 h daily
over a period of 30 days. The detrended EN data were used to calculate the noise resistance (
R
N) as well as the spectral noise resistance at zero frequency (
R
SNo) values and other statistical parameters. To study the nature of pits and distribution of their diameters as well as depths,
extensive observations of the pitted and the blank specimens were carried out using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM).
The current and the potential records of the two alloys showed distinct differences in their corrosion behavior. It was observed
that within less than 4 h of immersion, 316SS showed signals indicative of unstable pitting and onset of stable pitting was
noticed after 48 h of exposure. However, until about 24 h, 316LN showed just the random signals and unstable pitting was observed
after 28 h. The signals clearly indicated continuous growth of the stable pits in 316SS as against the repassivation of the
unstable pits in 316LN after 7 days exposure. It was observed that
R
N values showed a continuous decrease in the case of 316SS, but were quite stable in the case of 316LN over the exposure period.
Concurrent to these observations it was observed that 316SS specimen was extensively pitted. The frequency distributions of
pit diameters as well pit depths were observed to be highest at 10-20 μm and 5-10 μm, respectively. However, pits with as
large as 70-80 μm diameter and as deep as 20-25 μm too were observed. No pits were observed in case of 316LN even after 30 days
of exposure, an observation that corroborates well with the stable
R
N values. Thus, in the present investigation, the long-term tests using EN technique coupled with CLSM studies conclusively
prove that many unstable pits initiated in 316SS turn into stable ones resulting in insidious localized corrosion attack whereas
the unstable pits initiated in 316LN get passivated in the simulated coastal environment.
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