A new method for assessment of susceptibility to chloride stress corrosion crackhg under severe evaporative conditions has been developed. The basic idea is to test under submerged conditions simulating the electrolyte composition and concentration of sea water during evaporation. Two duplex and one austenitic stainless steel were tested loaded to the yield point at the test temperature, Time to failure, potential and temperature were recorded continuously. The results showed cracking of the austenitic material UNS S31254 at 110 °C by long term testing. For the duplex stainless steels UNS S31803 and UNS S 32750 cracking was observed at 100 °C, The time to cracking was longest for the last mentioned and highest alloyed duplex material.
Keywords: Test method, chloride stress corrosion cracking, highly alloyed stainless steels, concentrated sea water, evaporative conditions, safe temperature limits