Effect of Passivation on Pitting Corrosion of 316L Stainless Steel in Concentrated Seawater

Abstract

The influence of passivation on pitting corrosion of 316L stainless steel in concentrated seawater was investigated by using cyclic anodic polarization and critical pitting temperature. The results indicated that the pitting potential of passivated specimen was higher than that of matrix specimen in concentrated seawater at 25°C and 85°C. Critical pitting temperature value of passivated specimen was 56°C, which was much higher than 11°C for matrix specimen. Pitting corrosion occurred in the formed pit of passivated specimen, and metastable pit, lacy cover and new pit were observed in pit morphology.