Selective Corrosion of Stressed AISI 304 L-Type Steel in a 5N H2 SO4-0.1N NaCl Environment

Planar stress corrosion cracks with large corrosion sponge colonies are formed in stressed AISI 304 L-type steel in a 5N H2SO4–0.1N NaCl solution at room temperature. In the same solution, deformation martensite and also grain boundaries are attacked selectively. The selective corrosion of deformation martensite is so complete that it can cause cracking of the specimen.