The influence of recrystallized structure and texture on the sensitization behaviour of a stable austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316L)

The effects of annealing after 95% cold rolling on the sensitization–desensitization behaviour of AISI 316L stainless steel and its susceptibility to intergranular corrosion have been studied by electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) tests. The results indicate that the recovered structure as well as the recrystallized structure show different sensitization behaviour. Growth of the grains shows poor sensitization behaviour. The role of the texture and the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) on the sensitization process has also been discussed.