A detailed survey of the literature on the intergranular corrosion of stainless steels is given to determine the relative effects of chromium carbides and sigma phase. The survey showed that at least eight different acids can cause intergranular corrosion of austenitic stainless steels if a continuous carbide network is present: acetic, hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, lactic, nitric, phosphoric, sulfurous and sulfuric acid. Only limited information was available on the effect of sigma phase on the intergranular corrosion resistance of stainless steels in these same acid environments. 3.2.2

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