The Prevention of IGSCC in Sensitized Stainless Steel by Laser Surface Melting

Abstract The use of a laser to melt a thin surface layer of sensitized stainless steel is shown to be an effective method for the prevention of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). The method works by introducing a barrier layer between the corrosive environment and the susceptible microstructure. The effectiveness of the technique depends on the ductility and toughness of the melt zone, and in addition (at least in the slow strain rate tests employed here), there must be a sufficient melt depth to accommodate creation of new surface during plastic deformation. The potential for the development of this technique as a remedial measure to plant (e.g., boiling water reactor [BWR]) cracking problems is recognized and encouraged.