Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking of Austenitic Stainless Steels in Oxygenated High Temperature Water

Abstract

Abstract A bellows arrangement for controlled high temperature, high pressure, stress corrosion tests of thick specimens has been used to study the intergranular stress corrosion cracking of Type 304 stainless steel and Incoloy 800 in oxygenated (~ 100 ppm) 550 F (288 C) water. Complete intergranular fracture of sensitized Type 304 stainless steels occurs after 10.4 ± 4.4 hours exposure at stress levels of 14,000 to 17,000 psi. Cracking of Incoloy 800 requires longer exposures at higher stress. Crevices are not necessary to initiate cracking of sensitized alloys.