Studies on Electron Beam Surface Melting of AISI 316 Stainless Steel and AISI 347 Stainless Steel

In the present study, AISI 316 stainless steel and AISI 347 stainless steel are subjected to electron beam surface melting using an indigenously developed electron beam welding unit (80 kV & 12 kW). Electron beam processing was carried out at a gun voltage of 60 kV, current of 30 mA, scan speed of 1000 mm/min in a vacuum chamber with a vacuum level of 1.6 x 10-5 mb. Followed by surface melting, a detailed characterization of the surface was carried out and the effect of electron beam melting on the corrosion resistance property was evaluated. The effect of electron beam melting on the kinetics of aqueous corrosion has been determined in acidic 3.5 wt. % NaCl media.