Contribution of solution pH and buffer capacity to suppress intergranular stress corrosion cracking of sensitized type 304 stainless steel at 95 C

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Corrosion

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3284008· OSTI ID:6199681

Zhang, S; Shibata, T; Haruna, T ^[1]

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1. Osaka Univ., Suita, Osaka (Japan). Dept. of Materials Science and Processing

Controlling pH of high-temperature water to [approximately]pH 7 at 300 C by adding lithium hydroxide (LiOH) into the coolant system of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) successfully has been mitigating the corrosion of PWR component materials. The effects of solution pH and buffer capacity on intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of sensitized type 304 stainless steel ([SS] UNS S30400) was examined at 95 C by slow strain rate technique (SSRT) with an in-situ cracking observation system. It was found that an increase in solution pH or buffer capacity increased crack initiation time and decreased mean crack initiation frequency, but exerted almost no effect on crack propagation. This inhibition effect on IGSCC initiation was explained as resulting from a retarding effect of solution pH and buffer capacity on the decrease in pH at crack nuclei caused by the hydrolysis of metal ions dissolved when the passive film was ruptured by strain in SSRT.

• OSTI ID: 6199681
• Journal Information: Corrosion, Journal Name: Corrosion Vol. 55:5; ISSN 0010-9312; ISSN CORRAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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