Corrosion behavior of deformed low-nickel stainless steel in groundwater solution

Abstract Effect of deformation on the corrosion behaviour of 201 low-nickel stainless steel in a simulated groundwater solution was studied via electrochemical tests. The open-circuit potential, pitting potential, polarization resistance and the thickness of passive film decreased with the magnitude of deformation. The carry density of passive film significantly increased as the deformation increasing. In general, the deformation shows a negative effect on the corrosion resistance of the low-nickel stainless steel, which causes the stainless steel more susceptive to pitting in the groundwater. Moreover, the number of pitting initially increased with the magnitude of elastic deformation, while the depths of pitting were extended whereas the number of pitting does not be significantly influenced by the increasing plastic deformation.