This study explored the microstructure evolution of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) and further probed its effects on microhardness and corrosion performance. The results show that the dislocation multiplication, strain-induced martensite generation and grain refinement resulted from pre-stain increase the microhardness of DSS. Compared with the degradation of corrosion resistance at 7% pre-strain, the improved corrosion resistance at 14% and 21% pre-strain is related to the smaller surface energy difference, more strain-induced martensite and more low-angle grain boundaries. The changed pitting nucleation sites with the rise of pre-strain strongly depend on the increased dislocation density and strain-induced martensite.