Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steels in CaCl2 solutions was studied by using a constant load method. Initiation and propagation of stress corrosion cracks were examined by using fractography. The number and distribution of cracks were classified. A physical model for cracking was introduced as well as some creep deformation measurements were performed and analyzed.

The steady state strain rate obtained from corrosion elongation curve (elongation vs. time curve) showed a linear function of time to failure in a log-log plot. This implies that steady state strain rate can be applied as a parameter for prediction of time to failure. Furthermore, the steady state strain rate below which no failure occurs within a laboratory time scale was estimated. On the basis of the results obtained, the critical values of stress below which no SCC occurs are evaluated. Based on creep measurements the strain rate in non-corrosive environment is in the same order of magnitude as the corresponding steady state strain rate. Cracking characteristics were divided into three categories according to the crack initiation distribution. Transgranular cracking predominates at relatively low stresses and steady state strain rates.

Subject
Strain rate, Crack growth, Materials, Crack initiation, Crack propagation, Corrosion cracking, Stress cracking, Intergranular cracking, Stress, Mechanical failure, Elongation, Creep, Stress corrosion cracking
Keywords:
stress corrosion cracking, stainless steels, life prediction, transgranular cracking, intergranular cracking, initiation, propagation
© 1995 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1995
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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