Relationship between localized strain and irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking in an austenitic alloy

► Austenitic steel is more susceptible to intergranular corrosion after irradiation. ► Simulation and experiment used to study cracking in irradiated austentic steel. ► Cracking occurs at random high angle boundaries normal to the tensile stress. ► Cracking at boundaries with high normal stress and inability to accommodate strain. ► Boundary type, angle, and Taylor and Schmid factors affect strain accommodation.