Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of Type 316L stainless steel (SS) and
Type 316 SS was investigated by the creviced bent beam (CBB) method in oxygenated high
temperature water at 561K for 500 h to 2000 h. The crack length and depth were measured by
a scanning electron microscope after the test. The SCC length on the specimen surface
conformed to the lognormal distribution, although the depth conformed to the normal
distribution. The SCC incubation times of Type 316L and Type 316 SS with polished
surface were 490 h and 360h, respectively, suggesting higher SCC resistance of Type 316L
SS. The surface hardened layer increased SCC susceptibility and shortened the incubation
time.