Use of the Potentiostatic Pulse Technique to Study and Influence Pitting Behavior of 317L Stainless Steel

Potentiostatic pulse technique (PPT) measurements with different parameters were performed on 317L stainless steel. It is revealed that the selection of time parameters can control pitting size and the influences of cycle number concentrate in the first few cycles. The most stable pits initiated and grew simultaneously in the first cycle. Additionally, critical pitting temperature (CPT) measurements were performed after PPT measurements. The results verify that CPT values and their distribution range are influenced by test conditions. The CPT values of samples have an obvious increase after PPT tests. Therefore, by choosing appropriate parameters, PPT method can be used to change the surface condition of stainless steel sample and then improve its pitting resistance. (c) 2020 The Electrochemical Society ("ECS"). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited.