Effect of Aggressive Anions on the Stress Corrosion Cracking of Stainless Steel in Hot-Pressurized Alkaline Water

U-bend stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) testing of low Cr ferritic (Type 409) and austenitic (Type 304L) stainless steel was conducted in a hot-pressured alkaline water to study the effect of aggressive anions (Cl− and HS−) on the relative susceptibility. SCC was only observed in Type 304L when immersed in the solution that contained both aggressive anions. Critical factors were identified based on a cross-section examination of the U bends …