The corrosion behavior of 316 stainless steel under the cooperative effect of plastic stress and UV illumination in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution.

The corrosion behavior of 316 stainless steel under the cooperation of plastic tensile stress and UV was investigated. The results showed that the pitting corrosion resistance of the film deteriorates under the combined effect of both factors. Among them, UV illumination could increase the Cr 2 O 3 ratio and reduce the electric field strength, thus improving the pitting corrosion resistance of the film. The plastic tensile stress not only increases the corrosion rate by increasing the defect density but also enhances the photo-induced electric field strength and photocurrent density by decreasing the band gap value and increasing the flat band potential. • The corrosion mechanism under the cooperative effect of stress and UV was studied. • UV illumination modifies the composition and electronic properties of the films. • UV illumination inhibits the dissolution of the passive film and the matrix. • Mechanism of plastic stress enhancing photoelectrochemical properties was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]