Investigation of Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility of Fe-Ni-Cr Alloys in Nuclear Reactor Water Environments

Nonstabilized 300 series stainless steels stressed over yield are susceptible to intergranular stress corrosion cracking (SCC) when exposed in the heavily sensitized condition to 288 C (550 F), high purity water containing dissolved oxygen. The effects of stress, oxygen levels, and significant metallurgical parameters on intergranular SCC of AISI Type 304 are being evaluated. Several promising intergranular SCC resistant alternate alloys have been identified through preliminary investigations, e.g., austeno-ferritic duplex and stabilized austenitic stainless steels.