Crack Initiation In Cert Tests On Type 304 Stainless Steel In Pure Water

Author:  Andresen, P.L.
Source:  Corrosion 38, (1), Jan. '82
Doc ID:  1982034
Year of Publication:  1982
Abstract:  
Crack initiation has been determined for 304 stainless steel in constant rate stress corrosion cracking tests. Tests have been conducted at 125, 200 and 288 deg C in pure water environments containing 1.8, 0.2 and 0.2 ppm of dissolved oxygen, respectively. In addition to the temp./0 variable, the influence of surface condition (shot peened and wet ground) and sensitization heat treatment (600 deg C/24 h and welded plus 500 deg C/24 h or 400 deg C/10 days) has been examined. At 288 deg C, crack initiation in strongly sensitized specimens occur at < 20% of life. At lower temp. and/or less degree of sensitization, crack initiation occurs later in life. Shot peening reduces the strain to initiation, particularly at 125 deg C where there is a marked contrast to the wet ground condition. In general, variations in strain to initiation may not be strongly reflected in strain to failure. The limited results of other investigations were found to support the findings of this study. Descriptors: Austenitic stainless steels-- Corrosion; Stress corrosion cracking; Water-- Environment; Sensitizing; Shot peening