Although in the literature it is a common belief that electropolishing mitigates PWSCC, it is shown that
electropolished Alloy 600 samples tested in hydrogenated steam undergo internal oxidation while
mechanically polished ones oxidize externally. This has implications for SCC initiation, which has been
tested with different surface preparations (electropolishing and mechanical polishing) using RUB and Cring
samples. The results showed a systematic trend that mechanically polished surfaces are more
resistant to PWSCC than electropolished. The mechanism involved in this increased resistance is
thought to be related to short circuit diffusion of Cr to the surface which promotes external rather than
internal oxidation. The role of compressive stress induced by mechanical polishing is a much less likely
explanation of the observed effects. Mechanical polishing does not suppress PWSCC completely
because if the external oxide layer breaks, the exposed material continues oxidizing internally. These
results suggest that the effect of electropolishing needs re-evaluation.