Role of hydrogen embrittlement in intergranular stress corrosion cracking of sensitized Type 304 stainless steel

摘要

Fixed-load Mode I/Mode III comparative tests have been conducted on lightly sensitized (EPR = 2 C/cm/sup 2/) Type 304 SS specimens in 289/sup 0/C oxygenated water with other impurity additives. Substantial susceptibility to IGSCC was shown in Mode I but no conclusive evidence for SCC was found in Mode III. These results are consistent with a hydrogen embrittlement mechanism of crack advance, but electrochemical measurements seem to accord better with a slip-dissolution mechanism. Further studies are needed to clarify the operative mechanism(s).