Effect of chromium content on intergranular corrosion and precipitation of Ti-stabilized ferritic stainless steels

Intergranular corrosion (IGC) and precipitation of ferritic stainless steels (FSS) were investigated with change in Cr content from 11 wt.% to 17 wt.%. The increase in Cr content improved IGC resistance as temperature and time for the sensitization became higher and longer, respectively, but it did not prevent IGC. The analysis on the intergranular precipitates revealed that Cr segregation around fine intergranular TiC in developed all FSS regardless of Cr content. This Cr segregation is proposed to explain the Cr depletion for the cause of IGC in Ti-stabilized Cr FSS.