Abstract
The thermal exposure of austenitic stainless steels in the temperature range of 500°C–800°C results in the precipitation of chromium-rich M23C6 carbides along the grain boundaries and concomitant chromium depletion. When chromium level falls below 12% at such depleted zones, the material is said to be sensitized. When the sensitized material is exposed to corrosive media, intergranular corrosion (IGC) and intergranular stress corrosion cracking take place. ASTM standard A262-13 is available for detecting the susceptibility to IGC. However, the extent of chromium depletion of shop-fabricated or field-constructed components is required to determine the presence or absence of sensitization for critical applications. In this review, various electrochemical techniques that can be employed to assess the degree of sensitization (DOS) in austenitic stainless steels are critically reviewed. Techniques such as electrochemical potentiokinetic and potentiostatic reactivation with recent modifications for the accurate estimation of the DOS are analyzed. The possibility of using AC impedance technique and electrochemical noise technique for assessing the DOS is also presented. The merits and demerits of each technique and areas where further research should be focused are presented in this review.
About the authors

Natarajan Parvathavarthini holds an MSc in Chemistry, an MS in Metallurgical Engineering, and a PhD in Metallurgy. She was a visiting scientist at the Technical Management Concepts, Inc., Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA (1996–1997). She is currently heading the Localized Corrosion Section of Corrosion Science and Technology Group at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu, India. She has spent 38 years in the field of localized corrosion such as pitting, crevice, IGC, and hydrogen embrittlement of nuclear structural materials. She has published 121 research papers and 23 design notes for fast reactors.

Uthandi Kamachi Mudali holds an MSc in Materials Science, an MTech in Corrosion Science and Engineering, and a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering. He has been an outstanding scientist and the Associate Director of the Corrosion Science and Technology Group at IGCAR since 1984. He is a fellow of NACE International, ASM International, Asia Pacific Academy of Materials, Indian National Academy of Engineering, and Indian Institute of Metals and honorary fellow of the Electrochemical Society of India. He has made excellent contributions in localized corrosion, advanced materials and coatings for aggressive environments, corrosion testing and monitoring, and surface modification and analysis. He has published 335 papers in journals, co-edited 13 books/proceedings, and holds an H-index of 24. He has guided/coordinated project works of 140 students for their undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD degrees. He is a Professor at Homi Bhabha National Institute University and an Adjunct Professor at the PSG Institute of Advanced Studies, Coimbatore.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. P. Vasudeva Rao (Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) and Dr. T. Jayakumar (Director, Metallurgy and Materials Group) for their encouragement in preparing the review. The authors thank Shri. K. Thyagarajan for his help in preparing the drawings.
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