Sensitization of AISI 302 stainless steel during low-power laser forming

Low-power laser forming by raster scanning is a promising technology for shaping thin sheets in a non-contact manner, using a laser beam scanned over the surface. In this work, the change of material microstructure and the related corrosion behavior are investigated in the context of local temperature evolution during the scanning action. Graphite coated AISI 302 stainless steel coupons have been bent to different angles using a 60 W CO2 laser and the resulting cyclic polarization behavior in sulfuric acid was measured. The so revealed sensitization of the material is discussed on the basis of microstructural changes caused by temperature-induced phase transformations. The total times of permanence at temperatures favoring specific transformations were obtained by numerical simulation of the process. It was found that even when no surface melting takes place the recurrent rise of temperature within the material is sufficient to sensitize the non-irradiated side. This effect might be a limiting factor in applications of laser formed AISI 302 in corrosive environments.