The cold work effect on the corrosion susceptibility of UNS N08800 alloy is studied
using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and nanoindentation techniques.
The indent was used to introduce the localized plastic deformation An increased
reactivity was detected under SECM at the bottom surface of some indents, implying that
plastic deformation reduces the corrosion resistance of the alloy material under simulated
steam generator crevice chemistry conditions. The in-situ nanoindentation measurements
indicated that the effect of corrosion-induced surface plasticity was more pronounced in
the cold worked material. These observations suggest that a cold worked material may
enhance the SCC susceptibility of material under service conditions.
Key words: Cold work, Surface hardness, Surface reactivity