Pitting corrosion resistance has been correlated to the morphological conditions of the surface: a smooth surface finishing decreases the potential for pitting. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between pitting corrosion resistance and surface roughness in the machined surfaces of superaustenitic stainless steel ASTM A744 grade CN3MN. The samples of the casting steel were cylindrically turned sunder different combinations of cutting conditions, producing different surface roughness patterns. The surfaces of the samples, as machined, were characterized by roughness and hardness. After the application of an accelerated immersion corrosion test, these surfaces were examined in a stereoscope and the weight loss by corrosion was also determined. It was revealed that the samples exhibited different corrosion resistance behaviors, according to the machining conditions applied. A correlation between pitting resistance corrosion and machined surface roughness was evident, and also, the weight loss due to the formation of pits. This study has identified that corrosion can be controlled through the selection of appropriate machining parameters.
Surface finishing; pitting corrosion resistance; superaustenitic stainless steel; corrosion control; machining parameters; turning; surface work hardening
