Element-resolved electrochemical analysis of the passivity of additively manufactured stainless steel 316L

Abstract The dissolution and passivation behavior of additively manufactured stainless steel 316L (AM-316L) prepared via selective laser melting was studied in quiescent 0.6 M NaCl. In a detailed comparison with the wrought stainless steel 316L (W-316L), it was determined via mass spectroelectrochemistry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), that AM-316L exhibited a unique passive film relative to W-316L, resulting in a lower dissolution rate. The dissolution and enrichment of all alloying elements at open circuit potential and during polarisation were studied and elaborated.