Stress corrosion cracking of uni-directionally cold worked 316NG stainless steel in simulated PWR primary water with various dissolved hydrogen concentrations

Stress corrosion cracking growth rate of uni-directionally cold-rolled 316L stainless steel was monitored in simulated PWR primary water with different dissolved hydrogen (DH) concentrations at 320 °C. Crack growth rate at a DH of 0.16 cm3 (STP) H2/kg H2O is close to that at 5 cm3 (STP) H2/kg H2O. Crack growth rate at 30 cm3 (STP) H2/kg H2O is about one fourth of that at 5 cm3 (STP) H2/kg H2O or two times of that at 50 cm3 (STP) H2/kg H2O. Electron back scattering diffraction results show typical intergranular SCC along high angle boundaries with high levels of deformation.

► Dissolved hydrogen effect on SCC growth rate of cold worked low-carbon stainless steels. ► Inter-dependence between cold work and the effect of electrochemical corrosion potential on SCC growth rate. ► Cracking path related to local deformation at grain boundaries.