In stainless steel, a condition of lowered resistance to corrosion caused by carbide precipitation. When stainless steel that has not been stabilized with titanium or another stabilizing element is heated to a temperature ranging between 500 and 900°C (930 and 1650°F), which occurs during welding, chromium carbide precipitates along the grain boundaries, reducing the corrosion resistance at these locations. The corrosion does not occur in the weld itself but in the heat-affected zone adjacent to the weld. This loss of corroion resistance can be eliminated by heat treating. The welded part should be heated to 1100°C (2010°F) and quenched in water.
