For applications under dynamic loads in aqueous, hot chloride containing media,
austenitic stainless steels are often used. To reach a full and stable austenitic lattice, two
different alloying concepts are commonly used. On the one hand, alloying with chromiumnickel
and on the second hand, alloying with chromium-manganese-nitrogen results in a full
austenitic lattice.
Two steels, one of each group in the solution annealed condition are investigated in this
paper. Stress versus number of cycles curves and crack propagation rate curves were
recorded in inert glycerin as reference medium and in 43 Wt% calcium chloride solution as
corrosive medium, both at a temperature of 120°C. Crack initiations, fracture surfaces and
fracture mechanisms of the two different steels were investigated and compared.
In addition, constant load tests, exposure tests, and electrochemical tests were done to
determine damage mechanisms. In CaCl2 less corrosion resistant CrMnN steel fails by stress
corrosion cracking whereas CrNiMoN stainless steels shows very little corrosive attack and failure is caused mainly by corrosion fatigue. Due to oxide and roughness induced crack closure effects the effective rate of crack propagation at nominally the same ?K values is lower
in the aggressive medium when compared to inert glycerine.
Keywords: Corrosion fatigue, stainless steels, austenite, fracture mechanism