Corrosion/pitting causes?

[Satintime]

Hi chaps,

Can anyone explain why this supposedly 316L SS watch bracelet has severve pitting? Also why aren't the outer links not pitted?



Thanks in advance.


Bry

 

[cloa]

What makes you sure its corrosion pitting- just because its got "pits" doesn't mean that pitting is occurring- could easily be erosion or crevice corrosion. The outer links could easily have trapped water for longer, the inner dry off quickly. I assume this watch has been exposed to standard harsh atmospheric conditions- coastal, industrial perhaps splash but not salt water/ pool water immersion conditions while being worn on the hand.

 

[metengr]

Looks to me like the center links are a different material, based on the major difference in appearance. It looks like someone tried to clean this watch band using the wrong cleaning agent.

 

[stanweld]

Second metengr. Lookslike someone acid cleaned the band. Also looks like the pitted links were at one time plated. Could the individual who cleaned the band thought the plated links to be gold? Obviously a mistake.

 

[deco0404]

different material, regardless of the environmental conditions, it would be next to impossible to get that level of corrosion variance in such a short distance.

Galvanic anyone......

 

[EdStainless]

And then there are some individuals whos body chemistry will attack SS.
I would question if these links are 316, they may be 201. In which case even exposure to liquid hand soap ( a few % Cl) could lead to this attack rapidly.

Was there any corrosion product? A rust colored surface film? If not then it may be that most of this pitting existed in the original condition and they buffed it over to hid it. Then moisture would be easily trapped and a small amount of corrosion would then be revealed.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[Satintime]

Hi there,


The chap has removed the old gold plate with blasting media hope that helps.

Yes the centre links certainly look a different grade of SS probably cheaper grade maybe?


Bry

 

[Satintime]

Hi there,

The bracelet is by Tag Heuer so SHOULD be decent quality.

 

[metengr]

Maybe, OR it could be a knockoff watch and band. I bought a real nice Rolex watch last October in Hong Kong. Absolutely beautiful, but FAKE!

 

[TVP]

Is it possible that we are not seeing pitting/erosion, but instead it is a pre-existing manufacturing defect? Aren't some of the links for watch bands made by a powder metallurgy process (press + sinter, etc.)? It is difficult for me to believe that TAG Heuer would use a Type 201 stainless steel, but I guess anything is possible these days.

 

[Satintime]

It does make you wonder if the gold has basically been plated until all flaws were coated.

 

[Satintime]

Gold and maybe a cheap filler metal.

 

[MJCronin]

the person who gave you the watch doesn't really love you.....

 

[Satintime]

LOL it's not my watch I wouldn't wear one of those.