Temperature influence on SCC behaviour of duplex stainless steel

Some studies have related damages in duplex stainless steel (DSS) structures due to stress corrosion cracking (SCC), however, different mechanisms are observed depending of the electrolyte, temperature, electrochemical potential and steel composition. Wherefore, the SCC mechanisms of the AISI 318 DSS in a 115 000 ppm of chloride solution at 25 and 70°C were investigated. The results showed that the SCC cracks propagated in both phases, ferrite and austenite. A reduction in elongation was observed at anodic potentials caused by electrochemical dissolution and at cathodic potentials below −650 mVECS at 70°C and −750 mVECS at 25°C related to SCC mechanism. Accordingly, the more susceptible and protective potentials were determined for DSS in both temperatures.