2006 Volume 46 Issue 5 Pages 698-704
A Ni–10Cu–1Pd alloy was studied as a potential Cr-free consumable for welding austenitic stainless steels. The corrosion behavior of as-cast buttons with this base composition and alloys diluted by Type 304L stainless steel at levels of 4 to 84% were investigated in Cl− solutions. Actual welds, made using a bead-on-plate welding technique, were evaluated using electrochemical testing and in long term crevice corrosion exposure testing. Ni–10Cu–1Pd alloy across the entire dilution range exhibited higher repassivation potential than Type 304L stainless steel in 0.1 M NaCl solution. The repassivation potential was also higher for 0, 25, and 50% dilution levels in aerated solutions with Cl− concentrations of 105–35000 ppm. The breakdown behavior of the bead-on-plate welds was similar to that of conventional welds made with Type 308L filler metal. After 31 d exposure of samples with crevice-formers in 500 and 1000 ppm Cl− solutions, the bead-on-plate weld showed one shallow attack in 1000 ppm Cl−, but the 308L weld was attacked both in 500 and 1000 ppm Cl− with many deep pits.
