Intercrystalline Corrosion
Intergranular corrosion attacks the boundaries between crystal grains, sharpening them and leading to destruction and loss of strength.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Intergranular corrosion occurs at the boundaries between the crystal grains of a metal. Here, chemical attacks react without affecting the interior of the grains. This leads to a sharpening of the grain boundaries and can result in destruction and loss of strength.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
This corrosion can lead to cracks, damage at the grain boundaries, and an overall loss of mechanical properties of the material. With poor welding parameters or lack of protective measures, intergranular corrosion can accelerate, leading to reduced service life and reliability of components.
Workshop Practice & Action Instructions
To avoid or minimize intergranular corrosion, the following measures should be taken:
• Use high-quality welding materials with low content of impurities.
• Ensure that the metal is clean and free of corrosion before welding.
• Keep welding parameters (temperature, time) strictly under control.
• Apply suitable surface treatment after welding to prevent the occurrence of corrosion.