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TREATMENT OF
STAINLESS STEELS
Chromium carbides form in Stainless steels along either side of a weld. These carbides
form where the metal is in the temperature range of approximately 1100 - 1500 F. Since
the weld pool is well above this temperature and the base metal is below it, there is
always some part of the welded part which was in that temperature range. The quantity
of carbides which form depends on several factors, including the time within the critical
temperature range, and the concentrations of carbon and chromium. Since Stainless
steels, by definition, contain high levels of chromium, the level of chromium is not a
controllable factor.
Chromium carbides are objectionable because the chromium which is combined with
the carbon is no longer available to provide corrosion resistance. The result is "knife-
line" attack along the welds. For through-wall welds, the attack can penetrate the wall.
Note that "knife-line" attack is a specialized form of intergranular corrosion, which
occurs in Stainless steels which have not been properly heat treated (including after
welding). Intergranular corrosion is of greater concern in some corrosive media than in
others.