Abstract
The commercial grades of austenitic stainless steel (18Cr-10Ni) may be subjected to stress corrosion cracking when exposed to tensile stress and certain chloride environments. An extensive study was undertaken to develope a steel resistant to stress corrosion cracking. The influence of phosphorus and nitrogen in austenitic stainless steels on stress corrosion cracking has been investigated in boiling MgCl2 at 154°C by the U-bend and tensile method. The results of the study showed the detrimental effect of phosphorus and nitrogen and the interaction of these elements on the sensitivity to stress corrosion cracking. A new stainless steel resistant to stress corrosion cracking can be developed by controlling the contents of phosphorus and nitrogen in 18Cr-10Ni stainless steel.
The results were understood by observing the dislocation structures of these steels, by measuring the general corrosion rates and potential-time relations in boiling MgCl2 solution at 154°C.
