Stress corrosion crack (SCC) growth rate tests were conducted on sensitized and non-sensitized
stainless steels (Type 304, 304L) cold worked to levels between 18 and 28%. Compact tension
specimens were actively loaded to a stress intensity factor of approximately 38 MPaÖm and exposed to
high temperature, high purity water at 360°C under constant load conditions. Specimens were also ring
loaded to a K level of approximately 35 MPaÖm and exposed to high temperature high purity water at
338°C. SCC was observed in every specimen test with the exception of the 304L specimen cold
worked 18%. The crack front engagement was greater than 50% in all of the specimens that exhibited
SCC with the exception of the non-sensitized Type 304 specimen that was cold worked 19%.
Intergranular SCC can occur in heavily cold worked (30%) Type 304 and 304L stainless steel exposed
to high temperature, high purity water under static loading conditions without the presence of anions at
360°C. These results show that intergranular SCC can occur in heavily cold worked (20-30%) Type
304 stainless steel exposed to high temperature, high purity water under static loading conditions
without the presence of anions at 338°C. The measured SCC growth rates for non-sensitized Type 304
and 304L stainless steels were significantly below the SCC growth rates predicted for Alloy 600 under
the same environmental and loading conditions. The measured SCC growth rate for sensitized Type
304 stainless steel was consistent with the SCC growth rate predicted for Alloy 600 under the same
environmental and loading conditions.
Keywords: stress corrosion cracking, SCC, stainless steel