Susceptibility of 304 Stainless Steel to Crevice Corrosion in Electrochemically Active Fluids

The susceptibility of Type 304 stainless steel (SS) to crevice corrosion upon contacting with electrochemically active fluids was investigated using exposure tests and stepwise potentiostatic polarization. Crevice materials made of 304 SS and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) were focused on in this study. The combined influence of oxidant and chloride concentration on crevice corrosion was examined in detail in the two types of crevice combinations (304 SS-to-PEEK and 304 SS-to-304 SS). The 304 SS specimens were strongly susceptible to crevice corrosion when coupled with 304 SS. Even at a low concentration of 5 mg/L free chlorine and 150 mg/L chloride, which is below nominal dilutions in beverage industries, the examined specimens underwent crevice corrosion in both crevices. The effect of water composition on crevice corrosion was also studied, indicating high susceptibility of 304 SS to crevice corrosion in low pH (pH <= 5) solutions. The corroded surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive x-ray, and confocal microscope.