Determination of threshold stress intensity for chloride stress corrosion cracking of solution-annealed and sensitized austenitic stainless steel by circumferential notch tensile technique

This paper discusses a new approach to determination of threshold stress intensity factor for stress corrosion cracking (K_ISCC) of stainless steel in 42% MgCl₂ environment at 154 °C. K_ISCC of solution-annealed and sensitized AISI 304 stainless steel in chloride environment has been determined using circumferential notch tensile (CNT) technique. K_ISCC data generated using CNT technique have been compared with those generated using traditional techniques such as compact tension and double cantilever beam (reported in the literature). The results presented here validate the ability of CNT technique for determination of K_ISCC of sensitized as well as solution-annealed austenitic stainless steel. This paper also discusses the mechanistic aspects of the difference in fractographic features of the sensitized and solution-annealed stainless steel.     

Role of imposed potentials in threshold for caustic cracking susceptibility (KISCC): Investigations using circumferential notch tensile (CNT) testing

A fracture mechanics-based novel approach, i.e. circumferential notch tensile (CNT) testing has been employed for determination of threshold stress intensity factor for susceptibility of engineering materials to stress corrosion cracking (K_ISCC) using small specimens. Using CNT technique, K_ISCC of a carbon steel at an open circuit potential (E_corr) in 500 g L⁻¹ NaOH at 100 °C was determined to be 42.9 MPa m^1/2. In order to establish the application of the CNT technique in understanding the mechanistic aspects of caustic cracking as well as for developing guidelines for mitigation, tests have also been performed under the imposed electrochemical potentials. An imposed potential in the active–passive potential regime (E_a–p) caused an extremely rapid failure (than observed at E_corr) whereas, at an imposed potential in the passive region (E_p), the specimen did not fail even after relatively very long exposure time. The fractography of the CNT specimens tested at E_corr and E_a–p presented evidence of SCC. The study has established the use of experimental CNT testing as a simple, relatively fast and cost-advantageous approach for generating the K_ISCC data, which are also consistent with the electrochemical mechanism for caustic cracking.     

The effect of prior deformation on stress corrosion cracking growth rates of Alloy 600 materials in a simulated pressurized water reactor primary water

The effect of prior deformation on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) growth rates of Alloy 600 materials in a simulated pressurized water reactor primary water environment is studied. The prior deformation was introduced by welding procedure or by cold working. Values of Vickers hardness in the Alloy 600 weld heat-affected zone (HAZ) and in the cold worked (CW) Alloy 600 materials are higher than that in the base metal. The significantly hardened area in the HAZ is within a distance of about 2-3 mm away from the fusion line. Electron backscatter diffraction (EPSD) results show significant amounts of plastic strain in the Alloy 600 HAZ and in the cold worked Alloy 600 materials. Stress corrosion cracking growth rate tests were performed in a simulated pressurized water reactor primary water environment. Extensive intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) was found in the Alloy 600 HAZ, 8% and 20% CW Alloy 600 specimens. The crack growth rate in the Alloy 600 HAZ is close to that in the 8% CW base metal, which is significantly lower than that in the 20% CW base metal, but much higher than that in the as-received base metal. Mixed intergranular and transgranular SCC was found in the 40% CW Alloy 600 specimen. The crack growth rate in the 40% CW Alloy 600 was lower than that in the 20% CW Alloy 600. The effect of hardening on crack growth rate can be related to the crack tip mechanics, the sub-microstructure (or subdivision of grain) after cross-rolling, and their interactions with the oxidation kinetics.     

管线钢焊接接头H2S应力腐蚀试验分析

采用楔形张开加载(WOL)试样,对X56、X65管线钢不同焊接工艺下焊接接头的焊缝金属和热影响区在H2S介质中的抗应力腐蚀性能进行了试验研究.结果表明,全部平行试样都发生了少量的裂纹扩展,当应力强度因子K达到临界值(KISCC),裂纹不再扩展.在文中采用的焊接工艺下制备的X56钢和X65钢焊接接头,热影响区的抗H2S应力腐蚀性能略强于焊缝金属,且焊缝金属和热影响区性能均低于文献中介绍的母材性能,可以认为是焊缝金属和热影响区粗晶区的晶粒粗化、焊接缺陷、焊接残余应力和焊缝的高匹配等因素造成的.     

国产X80管线钢的H2S应力腐蚀开裂行为

采用三点弯曲加载法，研究了国产X80管线钢及其焊接接头的抗H2S环境应力腐蚀开裂（SSCC）行为.结果表明，热影响区（HAZ）对应力腐蚀开裂最为敏感，主要是HAZ组织不均匀、晶粒粗大、硬度大，易引起局部腐蚀，从而导致该区SSCC敏感性高。母材的纵向和横向取样对H2S应力腐蚀不敏感，薄壁管材较厚壁管材有更好的H2S环境应力腐蚀抗力.      

Quantitative analysis of Cr-depleted zone morphology in low carbon martensitic stainless steel using FE-(S)TEM

A new type of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) has been observed in low carbon martensitic stainless steel at heat affected zone (HAZ). Nano level microstructural analysis was carried out to investigate IGSCC factors. It was found that cracks propagate along prior austenite grain boundaries where a row of carbides had been formed. Cr-depleted zones at the grain boundaries were characterized by a STEM-EDX analysis and that morphology was obtained by deconvoluting this results. It is concluded that Cr-depleted zones only a few nanometers in width are enough to cause IGSCC at HAZ in this steel under certain circumstances.     

The predictability of stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of steels in acetate solutions from potentiodynamic polarization curves

Stress corrosion cracking susceptibilities of mild and low alloy steels in acetate solutions, assessed using slow strain-rate testing techniques, correlate well with those predicted on the basis of data from fast and slow sweep rate potentiodynamic polarization curves. Accurate prediction of cracking susceptibility necessitates allowances being made for changes of solution pH which occur during stress corrosion and polarization tests. A predictive technique which allows for these pH changes has been developed, and when implemented yields polarization data that indicates the influence of potential, steel composition and solution temperature on cracking susceptibility. The stress corrosion cracking of steels in acetate solutions is intergranular and occurs only when the electrochemical conditions correspond to those of a predicted potential-pH domain that is associated with the Fe²⁺/Fe₃O₄ transition.     

Microstructure and stress corrosion cracking in simulated heat-affected zones of duplex stainless steels

The effects of nitrogen content and the cooling rate on the reformation of austenite in the Gleeble simulated heat-affected zone (HAZ) of 2205 duplex stainless steels (DSSs) were investigated. The variation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior in the HAZ of 40 wt% CaCl₂ solution at 100 °C was also studied. Grain boundary austenite (GBA), Widmanstatten austenite (WA), intergranular austenite (IGA) and partially transformed austenite (PTA) were present in the HAZ. The types and amounts of these reformed austenites varied with the cooling rate and nitrogen content in the DSS. U-bend tests revealed that pitting corrosion and selective dissolution might assist the crack initiation, while the types and amounts of reformed austenite in the HAZ affected the mode of crack propagation. The presence of GBA was found to promote the occurrence of intergranular stress corrosion cracking. WA, IGA and PTA were found to exhibit a beneficial effect on SCC resistance by deviating the crack propagation path.     

In situ TEM study of stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steel

A constant deflection device designed for use within a transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to investigate the change in dislocation configuration ahead of a crack tip during stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of type 310 austenitic stainless steel in a boiling MgCl₂ solution, and the initiation of stress corrosion microcracking. Results showed that crack tip corrosion processes during SCC-enhanced dislocation emission, multiplication and motion. SCC microcracks initiated when the corrosion-enhanced dislocation emission and motion had fully develop.A passive film formed during corrosion of austenitic stainless steel in the boiling MgCl₂ solution generated a tensile stress. During SCC, the additive tensile stress generated at the metal/passive film interface assists the applied stress to enhance dislocation emission and motion.     

Anisotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour of prestressing steel

This paper evaluates the anisotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour of high-strength prestressing steel wires. To this end, two eutectoid steels in the form of hot rolled bar and cold drawn wire were subjected to stress corrosion cracking tests in aqueous environments using a constant strain technique and precracked three point bend specimens to measure the crack growth rate da/dt as a function of the stress intensity factor K_I under hydrogen embrittlement environmental conditions (pH = 12.5 E = − 1200 mV SCE). While the hot rolled bar presents an isotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour associated with mode I crack growth, the cold drawn wire exhibits a change in crack propagation direction approaching that of the wire axis (cold drawing direction) and producing mixed mode crack growth. This anisotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour is a consequence of manufacturing, since cold drawing affects the microstructure of the material and produces a preferential orientation of the pearlite lamellae aligned parallel to the wire axis. The differences of crack growth rate as a function of the crack propagation direction are discussed.     

Intergranular stress corrosion cracking of copper in nitrite solutions

Semi-hard tubes of deoxidized high phosphorous copper with different levels of tangential residual stresses have been exposed to nitrite solutions in a laboratory heating circuit. After characterization of investigated materials influence of temperature, location of heating, concentration of solution, electrochemical potential, and atmosphere on stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of those copper tubes has been investigated. Threshold stress for crack initiation has been determined. Maximum duration of experiments was 1 month. Breakthrough time of tubes has been measured as criterion for susceptibility to SCC.To vary stress level in a wider range constant load tests on tubes with different degrees of cold working (annealed, semi-hard, hard) were done by mounting them in a steel frame.Stress corrosion cracks were always intergranular. A tenorite layer covered surface of cracked copper tubes. A reaction scheme for ammonia formation is presented. Necessary conditions for formation of stress corrosion are shown and critically discussed.Results show that intergranular cracking takes place at much lower stress levels below yield strength when compared to literature data on transgranular cracking above yield strength. For transgranular cracking cross slipping and cleavage formation as cracking mechanism is confirmed while for intergranular cracking chemical dissolution of grain boundaries plays a more important role.     

Stress corrosion cracking study of microalloyed pipeline steels in dilute NaHCO3 solutions

Studies were carried out to evaluate the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of a X-70 microalloyed pipeline steel, with different microstructures by using the slow strain rate testing (SSRT) technique at 50 °C, in NaHCO₃ solutions. Both anodic and cathodic potentials were applied. Additionally, experiments using the SSRT technique but with pre-charged hydrogen samples and potentiodynamic polarization curves at different sweep rates were also carried out to elucidate hydrogen effects. The results showed that the different microstructures in conjunction with the anodic applied potentials shift the cracking susceptibility of the steel. In diluted NaHCO₃ solutions cathodic potentials close to their rest potential values decreased the SCC susceptibility regardless the microstructure, whereas higher cathodic potentials promote SCC in all steel conditions. Certain microstructures are more susceptible to present anodic dissolution corrosion mechanism. Meanwhile concentrated solution did not promotes brittle fracture.     

Correlation between the degree of sensitization and stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of type 304H stainless steel

Austenitic stainless steel 304H is extensively used in the super heater tubes of power boiler due to its superior mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. However, its relatively high carbon content increases the susceptibility to sensitization and subsequent stress corrosion cracking.This work is concerned with investigation of the sensitization and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of austenitic stainless steel grade 304H. Electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) test was used to evaluate the degrees of sensitization (DOS) of the studied alloy at various temperatures and periods of time. DOS increased with increasing sensitization time and temperature. This was confirmed by microstructure examination after EPR test. Boiling magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) test was used to evaluate the susceptibility of 404H stainless steel to stress corrosion cracking. DOS and test stress level had negative effects on time to failure in boiling MgCl₂. The correlation between DOS and SCC was also discussed.     

The initiation of stress corrosion cracks and pits in austenitic Cr-Ni steel in MgCl2 solutions at 40–90°C

The processes of pit and crack initiation have been studied for 18Cr-11Ni type steel in 5 and 35%MgCl₂ solutions at 40, 60 and 90°C using both unstressed test specimens or specimens submitted to uniaxial tensile stress (constant loads equal to 50, 64 and 80% of the tensile strength measured at the test temperature).The results show proportionality between the logarithm of induction time of pitting on both stressed and unstressed specimens and the logarithm of induction time of stress corrosion cracking In a majority of cases (in 5%MgCl₂ at 60–90°C and in 35%MgCl₂ at 40–90°C) the induction time of stress corrosion cracking proved to be longer than that of pitting, but in 35%MgCl₂ at 90°C the opposite was observed. In the last case the stress corrosion cracks originated from a smooth metal surface, whereas in all other cases cracks started from pits. A possible mechanism for these processes is given.     

2205双相不锈钢在酸性H2S环境下的应力腐蚀行为及开裂机理研究

_{摘要:采用C型环实验研究了2205双相不锈钢在饱和H2S环境下的应力腐蚀行为及开裂机理。研究结果表明,2205双相不锈钢在NACE标准A溶液中有良好的抗应力腐蚀能力。通过OM}、_{SEM、EDS及电化学手段分析得出2205双相不锈钢的应力腐蚀开裂经历了表面点蚀,蚀坑形成,H2S解离,H原子吸附并从蚀坑位置扩散进入金属基体,在金属基体中聚集,通过氢致开裂机制导致裂纹萌生,并逐渐扩展。}     

The stress corrosion cracking behavior of austenitic stainless steels in boiling magnesium chloride solutions

The change in the mechanism of stress corrosion cracking with test temperature for Type 304, 310 and 316 austenitic stainless steels was investigated in boiling saturated magnesium chloride solutions using a constant load method. Three parameters (time to failure; t_f, steady-state elongation rate; l_ss and transition time at which a linear increase in elongation starts to deviate; t_ss) obtained from the corrosion elongation curve showed clearly three regions; stress-dominated, stress corrosion cracking-dominated and corrosion-dominated regions. In the stress corrosion cracking-dominated region the fracture mode of type 304 and 316 steels was transgranular at higher temperatures of 416 and 428 K, respectively, but was intergranular at a lower temperature of 408 K. Type 310 steel showed no intergranular fracture but only transgranular fracture. The relationship between log l_ss and log t_f for three steels became good straight lines irrespective of applied stress. The slope depended upon fracture mode; −2 for transgranular mode and −1 for intergranular mode. On the basis of the results obtained, it was estimated that intergranular cracking was resulted from hydrogen embrittlement due to strain-induced formation of martensite along the grain boundaries, while transgranular cracking took place by propagating cracks nucleated at slip steps by dissolution.     

AE response of type 304 stainless steel during stress corrosion crack propagation

Acoustic emission (AE) signals generated by transgranular stress corrosion cracking (TGSCC) and intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) have been compared by means of slow strain rate tensile tests (SSRT) performed using both solubilised and sensitised type AISI 304 stainless steel in a 1 M NaCl + 1 M HCl solution. Results show that the AE activity during the propagation of TGSCC is much higher than the AE activity during the IGSCC propagation. However, no significant difference was found between the mean amplitude and rise-time of the AE signals registered during the propagation of TGSCC and those measured for IGSCC propagation.     

Effect of inclusions on initiation of stress corrosion cracks in X70 pipeline steel in an acidic soil environment

The effect of inclusions on the initiation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) X70 pipeline steel was investigated in an acidic soil solution using slow strain rate test, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray techniques. The results demonstrated that stress corrosion cracks are not initiated in X70 steel when it is under anodic polarization. At cathodic polarization, hydrogen evolution is enhanced, and hydrogen is actively involved in SCC processes. Two types of inclusions exist in the steel and play different role in crack initiation. The inclusions enriching in Al are brittle and incoherent to the metal matrix. Microcracks and interstices are quite easily to be resulted in at the boundary between inclusions and metal. There is no crack initiating at inclusions containing mainly Si.     

Role of Bayer solution concentration and temperature in stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of steel

To improve the efficiency of the Bayer process for the extraction of alumina from Bauxite ore, there is a push for increasing processing temperature and caustic concentrations, which has also led to an increased concern for caustic embrittlement. In this study, the caustic cracking behaviour of steel in Bayer solutions of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mol dm⁻³ “free caustic” concentrations have been studied at different temperatures using pre-cracked circumferential notch tensile specimens. It has been observed that at 100 °C, steel is susceptible to caustic cracking in each of the four Bayer solutions. Caustic cracking has also been observed at temperatures as low as 55 °C. Tests were also conducted using only the notched specimens (i.e., without pre-cracking) in a 7.5 mol dm⁻³ “free caustic” Bayer solution at 120 °C to study the stress corrosion crack formation and propagation behaviour in blunt notches.     

Sensitivity of stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel to surface machining and grinding procedure

An investigation has been undertaken to establish the effect of surface preparation method on the susceptibility of a 304 stainless steel to stress corrosion cracking under simulated atmospheric corrosion conditions. MgCl₂ was deposited onto four-point bend specimens, which were then placed in a chamber with a relative humidity of 45% and temperature of 60 °C. These test conditions were designed to reflect external exposure of stainless steel components in industrial plant, including nuclear reactor components, situated in a coastal region, but with the severity of the exposure conditions enhanced to allow discrimination of the effect of surface preparation in a short timescale (up to 1500 h). Four surface preparation methods were evaluated: transverse grinding, longitudinal grinding, transverse dressing using an abrasive flap wheel, and transverse milling. For each case, surface topography, surface defect mapping, near-surface microhardness mapping, residual stress and electron back-scattered diffraction measurements were undertaken. Stress corrosion cracks were observed for the ground and milled specimens but not for the dressed specimens, with cracks apparently originating at corrosion pits. The density of cracks increased in the order: transverse ground, milled and longitudinal ground, with the cracks notably much smaller in length for the transverse ground condition. The propensity for cracking could be linked to the high residual stress and apparent nanocrystalline microstructure at the surface. There was a greater propensity for pitting to initiate at local defect sites on the surface (laps, deeper grooves). However, the tendency was not overwhelming, suggesting that other factors such as more general roughness or the distribution of MnS inclusions had an influence, perhaps reflecting the severity of the environment.