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Grain Boundary Segregation and Irradiation-Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking of Stainless Steels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

E.A. Kenik
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN37831-6376
J.T. Busby
Affiliation:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
M.K. Miller
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN37831-6376
A.M. Thuvander
Affiliation:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN37831-6376
G. Was
Affiliation:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
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Extract

Irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) of irradiated austenitic stainless steels has been attributed to both microchemical (radiation-induced segregation (RIS)) and microstructural (radiation hardening) effects. The flux of radiation-induced point defects to grain boundaries results in the depletion of Cr and Mo and the enrichment of Ni, Si, and P at the boundaries. Similar to the association of stress corrosion cracking with the depletion of Cr and Mo in thermally sensitized stainless steels, IASCC is attributed in part to similar depletion by RIS. However, in specific heats of irradiated stainless steel, “W-shaped” Cr profiles have been observed with localized enrichment of Cr, Mo and P at grain boundaries. It has been show that such profiles arise from pre-existing segregation associated with intermediate rate cooling from elevated temperatures. However, the exact mechanism responsible for the pre-existing segregation has not been identified.

Two commercial heats of stainless steel (304CP and 316CP) were forced air cooled from elevated temperatures (∽1100°C) to produce pre-existing segregation.

Type
Irradiation and Implantation Effects in Materials
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America

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References

1.Kenik, E.A., et al., Microstructural Processes in Irradiated Materials. Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 540 Materials Research Society, Pittsburgh, PA (In press).Google Scholar
2. Research was sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy, Division of Materials Sciences, under contract DE-AC05-96OR22464 with Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp. and through the SHaRE User Program under contract DE-AC05-76OR00033 with the Oak Ridge Associated Universities. Research in part utilized the Shared Research Equipment (SHaRE) User Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.Google Scholar