Microstructure and yield strength effects on hydrogen-and-tritium-induced cracking in 21-6-9 stainless steel
High-energy-rate-forged (HERF) austenitic stainless steels are used for the containment of hydrogen and its isotopes. Embrittlement of these materials by hydrogen has been a source of concern for some time. The nature and the degree of embrittlement by hydrogen varies considerably and, among other factors, is a complicated function of material composition and processing variations. Helium, the radioactive decay product of tritium, will also embrittle stainless steels. Precipitation of microscopic helium bubbles tends to increase the material's flow stress, through dislocation pinning, as well as weaken interfaces like grain and twin boundaries. Since fracture toughness tends to decrease with increasing yield strength, at least part of the helium-embrittlement problem may be due to strength effects. The relationship between a material's yield strength and toughness and, the incremental strength increase and corresponding toughness decrease imparted by helium is not known. The purpose of this study was to measure the combined effects of strength, hydrogen isotopes, and helium on the room temperature mechanical and fracture toughness properties of HERF 21-6-9 stainless steel.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Savannah River Co., Aiken, SC (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/DP
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- OSTI ID:
- 6449896
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-MS-90-173; CONF-8907229--1-Vugraphs; ON: DE91004327
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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The effect of hydrogen isotopes and helium on the tensile properties of 21-6-9 stainless steel
The effects of hydrogen isotopes and helium on the tensile properties of 21-6-9 stainless steel
Related Subjects
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALLOYS
AUSTENITIC STEELS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CRACK PROPAGATION
CRACKS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
EMBRITTLEMENT
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
HELIUM EMBRITTLEMENT
HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MANGANESE ALLOYS
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NICKEL ALLOYS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
STAINLESS STEEL-21-6-9
STEEL-CR21MN9NI6
STEELS
TRITIUM
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
YIELD STRENGTH