Constant Strain Rate Testing of Type 304 Stainless Steel in High Temperature Water—Part I: Evaluation of Stress Corrosion Cracking Sensitivity

Constant strain rate tests of Type 304 stainless steel were conducted in high temperature water. Effects of aerated and deaerated water, strain rate, and heat treatment on stress-elongation curves and their fracture modes are discussed. Dissolved oxygen accelerated intergranular stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of sensitized Type 304 stainless steels in high temperature water. In high temperature water environments, the sensitivity of Type 304 stainless steel to SCC could be evaluated by the constant strain rate technique. For the environments, a strain rate of 5 × 10−4 minute−1 was found to be acceptable as an accelerated test.