Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 December 2004
The goal of this study was to demonstrate that a relationship exists between surface stress and pitting corrosion. The surface stress field generated by polishing was first calculated using a thermomechanical model and a finite element code. Pitting corrosion tests performed at the microscale along the austenite/ferrite interface using the electrochemical microcell technique were then analyzed considering the microstructure, and the residual surface stress field calculated numerically under the microcapillary. Mechanical criteria are proposed leading to an enhancement of pitting corrosion of duplex steels.