Abstract
To clarify the corrosion resistance of ELID ground stainless steel, electrochemical corrosion tests were carried out using a three electrode electrochemical cell connected to a computer driven potentiostat. Before the tests, morphologies of the finished surfaces were analyzed by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with an Energy Dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). A very smooth surface was achieved by the ELID grinding process with the use of extremely fine abrasives. The value of the surface roughness (Ra) for the ELID ground sample was similar to that of the sample polished with an alumina powder. The corrosion properties of the ELID ground samples with a smooth surface were superior to those of alumina polished specimens. This was attributed to the ELID grinding, producing a very thick and stable oxide layer which showed a superior corrosion resistance compared to that of the alumina polished samples. Consequently, the ELID process seems to be a promised technology in this forthcoming future for bio-implants and other engineering components used under a corrosive environment.
