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Linking Grain Boundary Structure and Composition to Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking of Austenitic Stainless Steels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2011

S. M. Bruemmer
S. M. Bruemmer*
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99532
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Abstract

Grain boundary structure and composition is assessed in austenitic stainless steels along with its influence on intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) in high-temperature water. Brief examples are presented illustrating effects of grain boundary character and segregation on behavior in specific light-water-reactor environments. Although grain boundary engineering can produce an increased fraction of “special” boundaries in austenitic stainless alloys, practical benefits depend on the boundary orientation distribution. It is critical to recognize that only ∑3s appear to be more resistant to SCC and the behavior of other low ∑ boundaries is uncertain. Grain boundary composition can have a dominant effect on IGSCC under certain conditions, but altered interfacial chemistry is not required for cracking. In high-potential oxidizing environments, IGSCC susceptibility is a direct function of the boundary Cr concentration. Non- equilibrium thermal segregation of Cr and Mo is often present in mill-annealed stainless steels and may influence cracking susceptibility. This initial grain boundary composition alters subsequent radiation-induced segregation and delays irradiation-assisted SCC susceptibility to higher doses. Other alloying elements and impurities in 300-series stainless steels have been seen to enrich grain boundaries, but few have any significant impact on IGSCC susceptibility. One exception is Si that strongly segregates during irradiation. Recent results suggest that Si may accelerate crack propagation in both low- and high-potential water environments. Critical research is still needed to isolate individual grain boundary characteristics and quantitatively link them to IGSCC.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 819: Symposia N/P – Interfacial Engineering for Optimized Properties III , 2004 , N2.2
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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