Relation between magnetic property changes and microstructure changes on austenitic stainless steel sensitized by heat treatment

Austenitic stainless steel, SUS304, has been widely used in many power generation plants owing to high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, while a sensitization on the steel occurs during long-term operation in the high temperature environment; this is because a chromium depleted zone is generated by a formation of Cr-rich carbides along grain boundaries.