Effects of X-rays Radiation on AISI 304 Stainless Steel Weldings with AISI 316L Filler Material: A Study of Resistance and Pitting Corrosion Behavior

Abstract

This article investigates the effect of low-level ionizing radiation, namely X-rays, on the micro structural characteristics, resistance, and corrosion resistance of TIG-welded joints of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel made using AISI 316L filler rods. The welds were made in two different environments: natural atmospheric conditions and a closed chamber filled with inert argon gas. The influence of different doses of radiation on the resistance and corrosion characteristics of the welds is analyzed. Welded material from inert Ar gas chamber TIG showed better characteristics and lesser irradiation damage effects.

Pitting Corrosion in AISI 304 Rolled Stainless Steel Welding at Different Deformation Levels

“…AISI 304 stainless steel can be welded by almost all the common welding techniques [11]. In arc welding the use of a low carbon content stainless steel as a filler rod reduces chromium carbide, which improves corrosion resistance [7,12]. However, corrosion resistance can be affected when stainless steel is subjected to cold rolling [13,14].…”

“…The effect of the residual stresses generated during products manufacturing of stainless steel on the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility is presented by [18]. Other works listed below focused on the pitting corrosion, the factors that cause it and their effects: In [19] a summary of the effects of possible factors in the pitting corrosion of metals is given; in [20] cold working was discussed as one factor on the mechanism and rate of pitting corrosion; in [21] the pitting generation caused by applied stress has been studied; in [22] an overview of the critical factors influencing the pitting corrosion of metals is provided; in [23] a method of evaluating strength reduction due to the pitting corrosion is established; in [24] a quantitative analysis of the effect of Type I residual stresses on the occurrence of pitting and stress corrosion is investigated; in [25] the effects of the micro-plasma arc welding technique on the pitting corrosion of different zones of an AISI 316L stainless steel were studied; in [12] the effect of low intensity X-rays ionizing radiation on TIG-welds of AISI 304 stainless steel using AISI 316L as filler rods is analysed.…”

Effects of Heat Input on Microstructure, Corrosion and Mechanical Characteristics of Welded Austenitic and Duplex Stainless Steels: A Review

“…For ASS, the heat input should be reduced to accelerate the cooling time in the weld metal and the adjoining HAZ, thereby ensuring that deleterious phases, such as M 23 C 6 , do not precipitate during the welding process [87]. By contrast, very low heat inputs can disastrously affect the renitence of DSS welding against pitting corrosion [88].…”

Influence of Heat Treatment in the Microstructure of a Joint of Nodular Graphite Cast Iron when Using the Tungsten Inert Gas Welding Process with Perlitic Grey Cast Iron Rods as Filler Material

“…Lower hardness values lead to higher wear and a bigger track as the resistance to abrasive wear diminishes but hardness is not the only influencing variable, as can be seen in the fact that wear is always higher at the weld bead than at the base metal even when both zones have the same hardness [20,21]. This indicates that the microstructure and the shape adopted by graphite plays a crucial role, being the vermicular graphite the most susceptible to wear.…”