The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of carbon and nitrogen in 17%Cr ferritic stainless steels (16%Cr-0.04%C-0.032%N; 17.2%Cr-0.02%C-0.0062%N; 18.5%Cr-0.008%C-0.0213%N) on the degree of sensitization (DOS). These steels were solution annealed at 1200°C and quenched in water. Isothermal treatments were carried out at 600°C between 5 minutes and 16 hours. The Double Loop Electrochemical Potentiokinetic Reactivation test (DL-EPR) was carried out in a 0.5M H2SO4 solution at (25 ± 2)°C. The DOS was evaluated using a ratio between maximum anodic current density in reversion, i r, and activation, i a. The microstructural examination of specimens was carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy after metallographic etching with Vilella's reagent. The results showed a DOS variation with time. Maximum values of DOS were obtained for each steel, followed by its reduction. The intensity of DOS and its kinetics vary in function of the carbon and nitrogen content in steels.
Ferritic stainless steel; intergranular corrosion, sensitization; electrochemical reactivation potentiokinetic test
