Effect of Organizational Evolution on the Stress Corrosion Cracking of the Cr-Co-Ni-Mo Series of Ultra-High Strength Stainless Steel

Different microstructures were obtained under various thermal conditions by adjusting the heat treatment parameters of the Cr-Co-Ni-Mo series of ultra-high strength stainless steel. The effect of organizational evolution on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of the Cr-Co-Ni-Mo series of ultra-high strength stainless steel was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and other test methods in combination with slow strain rate tensile tests (SSRTs). The results show that the Mo- and Cr-rich clusters and precipitation of the Laves phase reduce the corrosion resistance, while increasing the austenite content can improve the corrosion resistance. The Cr-Co-Ni-Mo series of ultra-high strength stainless steel has a high SCC resistance after quenching at 1080 °C and undergoing deep cooling (DC) treatment at −73 °C. With increasing holding time, the strength of the underaged and peak-aged specimens increases, but the passivation and SCC resistance decreases. At the overaged temperature, the specimen has good SCC resistance after a short holding time, which is attributed to its higher austenite content and lower dislocation density. As a stable hydrogen trap in steel, austenite effectively improves the SCC resistance of steel. However, under the coupled action of hydrogen and stress, martensitic transformation occurs due to the decrease in the lamination energy of austenite, and the weak martensitic interface becomes the preferred location for crack initiation and propagation.

Regularities of Stress-Corrosion Cracking of Pipe Steel 09G2S at Cathodic Polarization in a Model Soil Environment

Peculiarities of corrosion-mechanical fracture of 09G2S pipe steel samples in the conditions of cathodic protection were investigated. It was established that depending on the level of protective potential, stress-corrosion cracking of pipe steel of a ferrite-pearlite class 09G2S can occur by different mechanisms. The range of protective potentials was determined, at which the anodic dissolution and hydrogen embrittlement occur simultaneously during the fracture of steel, namely from -0.85 V to -1.0 V. The existence of the above mechanisms is confirmed by the change in the strength and viscosity properties of the steel and the morphology of the fractures. For steels of other manufacturing technology and grades, these potential areas may differ.

Corrosion Behavior and Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking of Leaded and Lead-Free Brasses in Simulated Drinking Water

Duplex α + β’ brasses are widely used in drinking water distribution systems for tube fittings, valves, and ancillaries because they are low cost, easy to fabricate, and exhibit high mechanical strength. However, depending on application conditions and alloy composition, they may undergo dealloying and stress corrosion cracking. In this research, three different brass types, two leaded (CW617N and CW602N) alloys and one lead-free brass (CW724R), were investigated to assess their corrosion behavior and susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in simulated drinking water (SDW) solutions containing different chloride concentrations, compatible with drinking water composition requirements according to Moroccan standard NM 03.7.001. The corrosion behavior was assessed by electrochemical tests such as polarization curve recording and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) monitoring, coupled to SEM-EDS surface observations. The susceptibility to SCC was investigated by slow strain rate tests (SSRT). The tests showed that corrosion was mainly under diffusion control and chlorides slightly accelerated corrosion rates. All alloys, and particularly CW617N, were affected by SCC under the testing conditions adopted and in general the SCC susceptibility increased at increasing chloride concentration.

ЗАКОНОМІРНОСТІ КОРОЗІЙНОГО РОЗТРІСКУВАННЯ ТРУБНОЇ СТАЛІ 10Г2ФБ У МОДЕЛЬНОМУ ГРУНТОВОМУ СЕРЕДОВИЩІ ЗА КАТОДНОЇ ПОЛЯРИЗАЦІЇ

Purpose. Investigate the regularities of corrosion cracking of 10G2FB steel under cathodic protection.Methodology. The following methods were used: slow strain rate, scanning electron microscopy, electrolytic hydrogenation, mass measurement.Results. The regularities of corrosion cracking of pipe steel 10G2FB in near neutral soil environment NS4 in the range of potentials from the corrosion potential to -1.2 V were investigated. According to the results of a complex of corrosion-mechanical, electrochemical and physical studies, it was found that with a shift in the cathodic polarization potential in the range of -0,75 V ® -0,95 V ® -1,05 V ® -1,2 V ® -0.95 V the coefficient of susceptibility of this steel to stress corrosion cracking KS increases correspondingly, 1,09 ® 1,11 ® 1,13 ® 1,26. The concentration of hydrogen which penetrating into steel at these potentials changes nonmonotonically: 0 ® 0 ® 0,057 ® 0,018 mol/dm3. The rate of residual corrosion with a potential shift in the series Еcor ® -0,75 V ® -0,95 V ® -1,05 V decreases first sharply, then slowly: 0.035 mm/year ® 0.005 mm/year ® 0.0009 mm/year ® 0.0004 mm/year, i.e. at high cathodic potentials, the applied polarization is spent on the decomposition of the aqueous electrolyte with the release of hydrogen, which penetrates into the steel and causes brittle cracking, which is confirmed by an increasing in the part of brittle fracture in the surface morphology of the specimens.Scientific originality. New results of fundamental research concerning the regularities of stress-corrosion cracking of ferrite-pearlite class steel of pipe assortment 10G2FB under conditions of cathodic protection in the range of potentials from the corrosion potential to -1.2 V have been obtained. It was revealed that a feature of the effect of cathodic polarization in the indicated range of potentials when assessing the tendency to stress corrosion cracking by the KS coefficient is an increasing in the relative narrowing and a decrease in the relative elongation, which generally indicates the embrittlement of the metal under the contact with corrosive medium and potential. Strength characteristics remain almost the same. The greatest tendency to stress-corrosion cracking is observed at a polarization potential of -1.0 V or more negative.Practical value. The developed methodology for a complex study of the regularities of stress- corrosion cracking was used for study of 10G2FB steel of the pipe assortment in a model soil environment NS4 under conditions simulating operating conditions. The new data obtained on the regularities of stress-corrosion cracking of steel will be useful for preventing the stress-corrosion cracking of main gas pipelines during operation.