Description:
<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title>
<jats:p>This paper aims to explore the influence of corrosion-deformation interactions (CDI) on the corrosion behavior and mechanisms of 316LN under applied tensile stresses.</jats:p>
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<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title>
<jats:p>Corrosion of metals would be aggravated by CDI under applied stress. Notably, the presence of nitrogen in 316LN austenitic stainless steel (SS) would enhance the corrosion resistance compared to the nitrogen-absent 316L SS. To clarify the CDI behaviors, electrochemical corrosion experiments were performed on 316LN specimens under different applied stress levels. Complementary analyses, including three-dimensional morphological examinations by KH-7700 digital microscope and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy, were conducted to investigate the macroscopic and microscopic corrosion morphology and to characterize the composition of corrosion products within pits. Furthermore, ion chromatography was used to analyze the solution composition variations after immersion corrosion tests of 316LN in a 6 wt.% FeCl<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> solution compared to original FeCl<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> solution. Electrochemical experiment results revealed the linear decrease in free corrosion potential with increasing applied stress. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated that high tensile stress level damaged the integrity of passivation film, as evidenced by the remarkable reduction in electrochemical impedance. Ion chromatography analyses proved the concentrations increase of NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub><jats:sup>−</jats:sup> and NH<jats:sub>4</jats:sub><jats:sup>+</jats:sup> ion concentrations in the corrosion media after corrosion tests.</jats:p>
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<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title>
<jats:p>The enhanced corrosion resistance of 316LN SS is attributable to the presence of nitrogen.</jats:p>
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<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Research limitations/implications</jats:title>
<jats:p>The scope of this study is confined to the influence of tensile stress on the electrochemical corrosion of 316LN at ambient temperatures; it does not encompass the potential effects of elevated temperatures or compressive stress.</jats:p>
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<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Practical implications</jats:title>
<jats:p>The resistance to stress electrochemical corrosion in SS may be enhanced through nitrogen alloying.</jats:p>
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<jats:sec><jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title>
<jats:p>This paper presents a systematic investigation into the stress electrochemical corrosion of 316LN, marking the inaugural study of its impact on corrosion behaviors and underlying mechanisms.</jats:p>
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