An investigation of the sensitization behavior of Fe-Mn-Cr austenitic steels

Standard chemical immersion (modified Strauss) tests and analytical electron microscopy (AEM) showed that reduced activation austenitic steels based on Fe-20Mn-12Cr-0.25C(wt%) are extremely prone to thermal sensitization and intergranular corrosion because of their high carbon contents and low chrom...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of nuclear materials Vol. 179; pp. 615 - 618
Main Authors Bell, G.E.C., Tortorelli, P.F., Kenik, E.A., Klueh, R.L.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 01.03.1991
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Standard chemical immersion (modified Strauss) tests and analytical electron microscopy (AEM) showed that reduced activation austenitic steels based on Fe-20Mn-12Cr-0.25C(wt%) are extremely prone to thermal sensitization and intergranular corrosion because of their high carbon contents and low chromium concentrations. This susceptibility to sensitization after thermal aging, fabrication, or irradiation makes their use in aqueous and other certain environments problematical. Excellent correlation between intergranular corrosion induced by immersion in the acidified CuSO 4 solution and the presence of narrow chromium-depleted zones around grain boundaries, as determined by AEM, was found. Due to the need to meet reduced activation requirements, the opportunities to increase the sensitization resistance of fully austenitic Fe-Mn-Cr steels by alloy design are limited.
ISSN:0022-3115
1873-4820
DOI:10.1016/0022-3115(91)90163-2