Effect of Loading Rate on Environmentally Controlled Cracking of Sensitized 304 Stainless Steel in High Purity Water^★ Available to Purchase

The environmentally-controlled crack propagation rates in the sensitized 304 stainless steel/water system at 95 C have been measured under static, monotonic; and cyclic stress conditions. It has been observed that the crack propagation rates increase with stress intensity rate and that the behavior under classical “stress corrosion” and “corrosion fatigue” conditions are quantitatively inter relatable. Of design importance, it is demonstrated that rapid loading times or even relatively small vibrations on a high mean load, are deleterious, even when the maximum stress intensity (K_MAX) is below the threshold stress intensity (K_ISCC) measured under static loading conditions.