Intergranular Corrosion of Deformed SS304

Intergranuular corrosion (IGC) and intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of commercial stainless steels e.g. type 304 and 316 are frequently observed in several process environments. These localized attacks are normally attributed to the carbide precipitation and concomitant depletion of chromium near grain boundary due to alloy exposure to sensitization temperature. Such undesirable microchemistry is expected to be changed further if the material undergoes deformation prior to sensitization.