Localized corrosion of stainless steels by chloride ions in seawater leads to metal degradation while fouling of marine organisms increases the occurrence of localized corrosion. We describe a simple method to increase hydrophobicity of austenitic stainless steel using grain boundary etching that can also inhibit adhesion of bio-organisms present in seawater as well as increase the localized corrosion resistance of stainless steel in chloride-containing aqueous environments. This paper describes the corrosion behavior of stainless steel as a result of grain boundary etching to achieve hydrophobicity. Potentiostatic polarization on stainless steel 316L in a nitric acid solution at an anodic potential of 1.3 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) results in a grain boundary etched structure and a Cr-and Mo-rich passive film as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This modified stainless steel 316L surface exhibits enhanced corrosion resistance to a 0.6 M sodium chloride solution. Specifically, potentiodynamic polarization studies indicate that the breakdown potential increases and the sample-to-sample variability decreases. Due to the ubiquitous use of metals in infrastructure, production and manufacturing, transportation, and utilities, corrosion results in compromised safety and recurring repair costs.1 One of the most commonly employed approaches to control corrosion is the use of corrosion resistant alloys.1 Stainless steels (SSs), which are defined as steel alloys containing at least 10.5% chromium content by mass, are the most frequently used materials in aqueous environments because of their enhanced corrosion resistance relative to carbon steels.
2Chromium participates in the formation of a stable passive film on SSs that protects the bulk metal against corrosion.3 However, SSs still suffer from localized corrosion when exposed to chloride-containing aqueous environments, including seawater 4,5 and bleach plants associated with pulp and paper industries. Strategies to improve the localized corrosion resistance of SSs include enrichment of Cr and Mo at the SS surfaces and removal of surface inhomogeneities.7 These SS surface treatments include mechanical polishing, 8,9 passivation, 7,9-11 and electro-polishing. 8,[12][13][14] Mechanical polishing results in Cr-rich SS surfaces. 9 Surface passivation of SS using a nitric acid solution removes surface inhomogeneities and enhances the formation of a Cr-rich passive film. Electro-polishing is a technique to control the surface finish of a metal by anodic electrochemical dissolution to yield a smooth metal surface. Electro-polishing removes surface inhomogeneities from the SS surface and simultaneously forms Cr-and Mo-rich passive films. Electropolished SS surfaces show higher localized corrosion resistance than mechanically polished and passivated SS surfaces.14 Chromium oxide/hydroxide (Cr 2 O 3 /Cr(OH) 3 ) in the passive film hinders movement of cations into the electrolyte and thereby delays local breakdown of the ...