The IGSCC behavior of L-grade stainless steels in 288 C water
- General Electric Corp., Schenectady, NY (United States). Corporate Research and Development
The intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) susceptibility of the weld heat affect zone (HAZ) of 304L and 316L SS was evaluated in 288 C high purity water at {approximately} +200 mV{sub SHE}, representative of the boiling water nuclear reactor core environment. Slow strain rate tensile testing results show that both 0.031 wt.%C and 0.008 wt.%C 304L SS materials exhibit IG fracture morphology in the weld HAZ when aged between 450 and 550 C for times up to 2,000 hours, while a 316L material exhibits only a trace of transgranular failure. The IG cracking is dependent on the corrosion potential and is sensitive to the surface condition. Double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (DL-EPR) measurements indicate that the 304L SS specimens are slightly sensitized and metallographic examination reveals grain boundary precipitates. Field emission gun scanning transmission electron microscopy and Auger electron analysis are in progress to determine if the weld HAZs are Cr depleted or possess grain boundary impurity segregants. Additional experiments are designed to separate the effects of thermal aging and cold work which may be enhancing the IGSCC susceptibility by promoting Cr depletion and/or impurity segregation.
- OSTI ID:
- 548559
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970332--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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