The following is a discussion of the article entitled “Influence of Composition on Continuous Cooling Sensitization of AISI 304 Stainless Steel,” by H. D. Solomon, published in Corrosion, Vol. 40, No. 2, p. 51 (1984).
DISCUSSION by E. A. Loria, Metallurgical Consultant, 1828 Taper Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. Retired supervisory metallurgist, Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel Division, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.
This paper is the most comprehensive study of the effect of carbon content on continuous cooling sensitization to be found in the literature. The subject has direct impact on the recurrent problem of cracking in the weld heat affected zone (HAZ) of 4 and 10 in. diameter piping in the recirculating systems of boiling water reactors (BWRs) over the past ten years, and it prompted an intensive reexamination of AISI Type 304 stainless steel with part of the objective being to develop ways of quantitatively detecting the degree of sensitization. This...
