The effects of rolling temperature and sensitization treatment on the sulfide stress corrosion cracking of 304L stainless steel

The effects of rolling temperature (25 and 150 °C) and sensitization treatment (650 °C/1 h) on the susceptibility to sulfide stress corrosion cracking of 304L specimens were investigated. Regardless of the rolling temperature, the low hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility was associated with a high α′-martensite content and/or deformability near the notch-fractured location. In contrast, sensitization treatment increased the HE susceptibility of all rolled specimens. Additionally, cracks were observed only on the cold-rolled specimen in the U-bend immersion tests. The superior performance of the warm-rolled specimen in saturated H2S solution was confirmed by both notched tensile and U-bend immersion tests.

► Sulfide cracking of rolled AISI 304L in distinct conditions was conducted.
► Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) caused obviously localized deformation.
► Rolling at room temperature caused a reduced HE susceptibility in tensile tests.
► The WR specimen had better resistance to HE in notched tensile and U bent tests.
► The CR specimen was susceptible to sulfide cracking in the U-bent immersion test.