A probe into low-temperature stress corrosion cracking of 304L stainless steel by scanning vibrating electrode technique

Abstract

Scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) that is a reliable method for local measuring of electrochemical potential at the sample surface is used to study stress corrosion cracking of 304L stainless steel in 0.1 M NaCl+HCl solution at room temperature. SVET maps showed a periodic emergence and receding as well as a forward mobility of an active anodic front. This behaviour could indicate a step-wise and discontinuous crack propagation mechanism. SEM images revealed the presence of a side crack adjacent to the main crack which confirms the presence of an expanded anodic front in SVET maps.

Keywords:

• 304L stainless steel
• Stress corrosion cracking
• Scanning vibrating electrode technique
• SEM