Micro abrasion-corrosion of AISI 316L stainless steel

In this study, the synergistic effects of abrasion and corrosion on AISI 316L stainless steel have been investigated using a micro-abrasion test rig. A series of results from abrasioncorrosion tests conducted using the micro-abrasion rig are presented. AISI 316L stainless steel has been studied under both pure abrasion and abrasion-corrosion conditions simulated by either distilled water or 3.5% sodium chloride based silicon carbide slurries. Tests have been conducted at various solids concentrations and for various sliding distances to enable the interactions between abrasion and corrosion to be better understood. The synergistic effect has been quantified and related to the material composition and the grooving or rolling abrasive wear mechanisms present. The synergistic levels were typically positive and have been discussed in terms of their dependence on the integrity of the passive films and the repassivation kinetics.