Microstructural and corrosion resistance study on plasma arc welded joints of AISI 304 and AISI 316
K. V. Durga Rajesh, Tanya Buddi, P. Rahul Kanth, Satyanarayana Kosaraju
Abstract
Austenitic stainless steels (ASS) grades have strong corrosion resistance in mildly corrosive acid, industrial and marine environments than other materials such as brass, bronze or galvanised steel. Among the ASS grades, AISI 316 stainless steel is safe to seawater. This paper describes the efficiency and enhancement of the performance of stainless steel in a marine environment. Plasma arc welding has been used for joining AISI 304 and 316 stainless steels and observed the microstructures of the welded joints. Corrosion resistance test has been used to determine the corrosion rate of the welded steels. Using Tafel plot curve the corrosion rate has been analysed, for the three types of samples for which AISI 316 has very less corrosion rate when compared to AISI 304 and the welded joint of both AISI 316 and 304.