Abstract: | Influence of programmed welding temperature cycles on the resulting structure and the corrosion behavior of austenitic steel Studies on corrosion resistant austenitic steels subjected to simulated welding temperature cycles have shown that even after very short annealing times the corrosion resistance is decreased. In the temperature range between 700 and 900 °C carbides are precipitated, while grain growth and twinning are observed at temperatures between 900 and 1100 °C. Above 1280 °C delta-ferrite is formed as early as after 15 sec. Potentiokinetic current density/potential curves have been traced on the basis of tests in 1 N sulfuric acid at room temperature. The passivation current density has turned out to be a suitable corrosion resistance criterion. |