Determination of threshold stress intensity factor for stress corrosion cracking (KISCC) of steel heat affected zone

Threshold stress intensity factor for stress corrosion cracking of heat affected zone (HAZ) of mild steel in caustic solution has been determined using circumferential notch tensile (CNT) technique. HAZ microstructure produced during manual metal arc welding of grade 250 steel was simulated over a length of 35 mm of CNT specimens, using a thermo-mechanical simulator. Inter-granular stress corrosion cracking has been confirmed with scanning electron microscope. The results presented here validate the ability of CNT technique for determination of KISCC of HAZ and base metal.