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Correlation of intergranular stress corrosion cracking susceptibility with mechanical response of irradiated, thermally sensitized type 304 stainless steel

Journal Article · · Corrosion
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3290262· OSTI ID:543527
; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Central Research Inst. of Electric Power Industry, Komae, Tokyo (Japan). Komae Research Lab.
  2. Japan Atomic Energy Research Inst., Ibaraki (Japan). Oarai Research Establishment
Intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) susceptibility of irradiated, thermally sensitized type 304 (UNS S30400) stainless steels (SS) was studied as a function of neutron fluence and correlated with mechanical responses of the materials. Neutron irradiation was carried out to neutron fluences up to 5.4 {times} 10{sup 23} n/m{sup 2} (E > 1 MeV) at 290 C and to 1.1 {times} 10{sup 24} n/m{sup 2} (E > 1 MeV) at 340 C in the Japan Material Test Reactor. Irradiated specimens were examined by slow strain rate tensile testing (SSRT) in 290 C pure water of 0.2 ppm dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, by SSRT at 290 C in argon gas, and by microhardness measurements. IGSCC susceptibility increased with neutron fluences up to 1.1 {times} 10{sup 24} n/m{sup 2} regardless of irradiation temperatures. The 0.2% proof stress (PS) and the grain-boundary (GB{sub HV}) and grain-center microhardness (GC{sub HV}) increased. The uniform elongation (UE) decreased with neutron fluences up to 5.4 {times} 10{sup 23} n/m{sup 2} fluence was achieved at 340 C. Excellent correlation was identified between IGSCC susceptibility and microhardness increments at the grain boundary relative to the grain center. Incremental grain-boundary hardening presumably may be a major factor affecting IGSCC.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
543527
Journal Information:
Corrosion, Journal Name: Corrosion Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 53; ISSN 0010-9312; ISSN CORRAK
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English