DEIS assessment of AISI 304 stainless steel dissolution process in conditions of intergranular corrosion

Results presented in this paper are first that demonstrate instantaneous impedance changes versus reactivation potential detected by means of dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS) technique for AISI 304 stainless steel dissolution process proceeding during intergranular corrosion (IG) in 0.5 M SO₄²⁻ + 0.01 M KSCN solution of different pHs. Application of DEIS method made it possible to evaluate dynamic changes of the examined system's impedance in conditions of IG. As a result, controlling stage of the overall rate of AISI 304 SS dissolution process was determined. Moreover, the paper proposes an alternative way of assessment of AISI 304 SS dissolution rate during intergranular corrosion based on approximation to theory of iron dissolution in sulfuric acid medium. Simultaneously, on the basis of the DEIS measurements it was possible to obtain information about the degree of sensitization (DOS) of the examined material. Accordingly, performed researches revealed the advantage of the DEIS technique over the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) tests when investigating intergranular corrosion process.