Effect of Heat Treatment on The Intergranular Corrosion Resistant of Austenitic Stainless Steel Type 304

Intergranular corrosion testing of stainless steel 304 sample using boiling nitric acid has been carried out. The objective of the test is to investigate the influence of heat treatment on intergranular corrosion stainless steel 304 sample. The samples are annealed at 450, 550 and 650oC for 8 hours. After being annealed, the samples to be prepared for corrosion testing in boiling nitric acid for 48 hours. After tested, the samples are weighed and observed their microstructure using scanning electron microscope. The experiment result show that heat treatment from room temperature until 650 oC for 8 hours, the corrosion rate increased from 12,6163 ; 14,7831 ; 27,3167 and 173,4903 m py. Based on the experiment results, it can be conclude that heat treatment increased corrosion rate and the samples that heat treated at temperature 550oC results partial intergranular corrosion, however samples that heat treated at 650 oC for 8 hours results severe intergranular corrosion or largest corrosion rate. (author)