Effects of pH values on the stress corrosion cracking of 304L stainless steel in high-temperature and high-pressure water

The effects of pH values on the stress corrosion cracking(SCC) of 304L stainless steel in high-temperature and high-pressure water were studied using slow strain rate tension(SSRT) tests.The fracture morphology of SCC specimens was analyzed with the aid of scanning electron microscopy(SEM).It is shown that 304L stainless steel exhibits a high susceptibility to SCC in weak alkaline and acidic solutions at 300 ℃, and the susceptibility increases by decreasing the pH value of the solution.In neutral solutions, both the strength and toughness of 304L stainless steel display a limited loss, indicating that 304L stainless steel has a low susceptibility to SCC.Fractography analysis is also consistent with these conclusions.