Influence of welding current intensity on susceptibility to intergranular corrosion in welded joints of stainless steel

Abstract

Susceptibility to intergranular corrosion in welded joints of austenitic stainless steel X5CrNi1810 was tested. The welding was performed with different intensities of welding current (110 A, 130 A, and 150 A). The tests were performed using the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation method with a double loop (DL EPR method) on the base metal and in the heat-affected zone. The results obtained by the DL EPR method show that the heat-affected zone formed by welding with 150 A has the highest susceptibility to intergranular corrosion. The susceptibility to intergranular corrosion is considerably lower when applying smaller welding current. The base metal is resistant to intergranular corrosion. The indicator of susceptibility to intergranular corrosion (Qr/Qp)GBA is ~ 6 times higher for the heat-affected zone (at 150 A welding current intensity) than for the base metal. Obtained testing results show that the welding current intensity greatly influences the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion in welded joints of stainless steel X5CrNi1810.