CORROSION SUSCEPTIBILITY OF AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL 304 WELDMENT
Abstract
The corrosion susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel (ASS) 304 weldments is influenced by the type of electrode used during welding. This study investigates how different welding electrodes affect the microstructure, composition and potential corrosion resistance of ASS 304 weldments. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding processes were employed using E308-16/10(Rutile), E308- 16/12(Rutile), E308- 16/12(Lime-titania), E310- 16/10, E312- 16/10, and TIG welding electrodes. The weldments were analyzed through chemical composition testing and microstructural examination to evaluate the retention and distribution of key alloying elements that contribute to corrosion resistance. The findings indicate that E308- 16/12(Lime-titania) electrodes produced welds with a more favorable microstructure due to the presence of Lime-titania, which enhances passivation and resistance to localized corrosion. Additionally, chromium and nickel played a crucial role in corrosion resistance by forming a stable passive oxide layer that protects against oxidation and pitting. Chromium improves resistance to general corrosion, while nickel enhances the stability of the austenitic structure and increases resistance to stress corrosion cracking. While direct exposure to a corrosive environment was not conducted, the results suggest that weldments made with E308- 16/12(Lime-titania) may offer superior corrosion resistance compared to those welded with E308-16/10(Rutile), E308- 16/12(Rutile), E310- 16/10, E312- 16/10, and TIG, due to the optimized balance of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and the presence of Lime-titania. This study provides valuable insights into electrode selection for improving the durability and integrity of ASS 304 weldments in various applications.
Key Words: Austenitic Stainless Steel, Electrodes, Welding, Microstructure
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