Abstract
The effects of thermal cycle condition and applied stress on the intergranular corrosion in austenitic 316 type stainless steels were investigated. Specimens were solution-treated at 1100$^{\circ}C$ for one hour and then sensitized in the temperature range of $500{\sim}800^{\circ}C$ by holding $2{\sim}300s$ with a various applied stresses of $0{\sim}8kg/mm^2$. Degree of sensitization. DOS %, was measured through polarization curve by electrochemical DL-EPR test. Microstructural observations were also conducted DOS % increased with an increase of sensitization temperature and/or holding time. Increase of applied stress resulted in increase of DOS % and more corroded surface because of acceleration of intergranular corrosion and fine grain size due to the stress. Cr depleted zone near grain boundary was observed. The amount of depletion was profounded with an increase of sensitization temperature, holding time and applied stress. $M_{23}C_6$ carbides were precipitated discontinuously at grain boundary. However, its amount was relatively small in the thermal cycle condition of 800$^{\circ}C$, 300sec and 4kg/mm$^2$.
