Elimination of Intergranular Corrosion Susceptibility of a Sensitised 304 Steel by Subsequent Laser Surface Melting

Abstract

The electrochemical behaviour of a sensitised 304 stainless steel which has subsequently undergone a fusion treatment of its surface with a continuous wave CO₂ laser has been studied. The area directly affected by the fusion has a fine scale microstructure of austenite; the intercellular regions are interpreted as containing ferrite. The electrochemical corrosion resistance tests show that, following the laser treatment, the steel has regained its intergranular corrosion resistance properties.