Corrosion of 316L stainless steel in sodium hypochlorite bleaching process

This paper is devoted to study the electrochemical behaviour of the 316L stainless steel in hypochlorite sodium bleaching process. Electrochemical and impedance measurements revealed mass transfer and charge transfer limitations in the corrosive neighbourhood. The pitting corrosion in the system was a consequence of the presence of Cl- ions, which was induced by the pH of the solution. Auger spectral studies showed a peak for chloride, which suggests that breaking of passive film is very sensitive to chloride ions. Surface Auger spectral analysis suggests the presence of a thin film, which is reinforced by our electrochemical impedance measurements.