Role of dissolved oxygen on the corrosion behavior of 316L stainless steel

• Dissolved oxygen exhibited different effects on the corrosion behavior of 316L stainless steel during the different immersion stages. • When the chloride concentration was low, dissolved oxygen aggravated the pitting corrosion of 316L stainless steel as forming larger pits once pit corrosion initiation. • The value of [DO]/[Cl - ] would influence the initiation and development of pitting corrosion. The corrosion behavior of 316L stainless steel in 0.01 mol/L NaCl solutions containing dissolved oxygen of different contents was investigated with electrochemical measurements and surface characterization techniques to provide valuable insights for optimizing the composition design of stainless steel to promote its anti-corrosion ability. Dissolved oxygen exhibited different influences on the corrosion behavior of 316L stainless steel during the different immersion stages. Before the nucleation pits, it benefitted to the re-passive of passive film. Once pitting corrosion initiated, the dominating role of dissolved oxygen became participating in the cathodic reactions. During this process, its competition with chloride would influence the initiation and development of pitting corrosion.