An Application of Fracture Mechanics to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Austenitic Stainless Steels and their Welded Joints

The Effect of Temperature of 42% MgCl₂ Solution on Crack Propagation Feature of Stress Corrosion Cracking

Abstract

The effect of temperature of 42 % MgCl₂ solution on crack propagation feature of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of SUS 304 stainless steel was investigated. It was observed that the threshold value of stress intensity factor K_ISCC was not clearly influenced by temperature, while crack growth rate da/dt increased with temperature in the range of 109°C-143°C. The effect of temperature on crack growth rate was able to be evaluated by Arrhenius equation. Apparent free energy of activation was about 22.6 Kcal/mol which scarcely had K dependence.