The
electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) test is commonly
used to evaluate the degree of sensitization of austenitic stainless
steels. It is shown in this study that the EPR test can be used to
distinguish between classical sensitization, i.e., chromium depletion
formation resulting from the precipitation of chromium-rich precipitates
at grain boundaries and martensite-induced sensitization that takes
place at lower temperatures of 450°C to 500°C. The reactivation from
classical sensitization starts early, at more noble potentials than that
for martensite-induced sensitization. This has been brought out in EPR
results of cold-worked, warm-worked, and sensitized samples of Type 304
(UNS S30400) stainless steel.