Effect of temperature on the galvanic corrosion of a high alloyed austenitic stainless steel in its welded and non-welded condition in LiBr solutions

Galvanic corrosion generated by the coupling between the austenitic stainless steel Alloy 926 (UNS N08926) and the welded Alloy 926 has been studied by means of electrochemical methods. The materials have been tested in highly concentrated LiBr solutions at different temperatures. The effect of Li2CrO4 as corrosion inhibitor has also been evaluated. Galvanic corrosion has been studied under open circuit conditions using a zero-resistance ammeter (ZRA). Results have demonstrated the poor severity of the coupling between the Alloy 926 and the welded metal in the studied conditions. The probability of localized corrosion increased with temperature and concentration, as the galvanic current density and galvanic potential data demonstrated. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.