STRESS-CORROSION CRACKING AT CONSTANT LOAD OF 304L STAINLESS-STEEL IN MOLTEN NACL-CACL2 AT 570-DEGREES-C

The incubation and propagation times of cracks in 304L in molten NaCl-CaCl//2 at 570 degree C were related to the applied stress value, from creep and creep rate curves. Rest potential versus time curves were recorded simultaneously. The results showed intergranular stress corrosion cracking. When the temperature was kept at 570 degree C, precipitation of chromium carbide M//2//3C//6 which promoted cracking propagation, was induced. Determination of the crack rate shows that anodic dissolution at the bottom of the cracks is the main process during the stress corrosion crack propagation of 304L stainless steel in the stress range used.