Abstract:
SUS 304 is the largest group of stainless steels used in industry. One of the mostimportant problems associated with this group of steels is weld decay and stress corrosioncracking (SCC). Statistics shows that failures of SUS 304 are due mostly to SCC.The aim of this research is to study the influence of welding processes and post- _ ,weld heat treatments on weld structures and the influence of structure on SCC resistance inchloride environment. Fracture characteristics resulting from SCC in various conditions arealso investigated.Three welding processes (SMAW, TIG, MIG) are employed in this study. Weldingelectrodes used are WEL 308L, TGS-308L and YM-308L and argon is used as shieldinggas. The results show that there are some differences in macrostructures as a result of differentwelding processes : TIG yields the greatest penetration while that of SMAW yields thesmallest. The microstructures are roughly the same for all three processes consisting ofaustenite and about 6-9% delta ferrite ( &ferrite ).Solution heat treatments are carried out at 1200 OC for 10, 20, 60 and 120minutes.The results show that the amount of delta ferrite decresses rapidly with incressingtreatment time reaching less than 1% after 120 minutes. Chromium carbides (Cr23C6) arealso observed at the grain boundaries both within the weld metal and in the parent plates.SCC testings are performed in boiling MgC12 for 60, 200, 240, 400, 500, 600, 700,800, 900 and 1000 hours. The results show that for as-welded specimens, TIG-weldedsamples perform the best follow by those welded by SMAW and MIG processes. Similarresults are observed in heat treated specimens. Cracks appear to initiated at the interfacebetween weld metal and HAZ as well as within the HAZ. Propagation of cracks does not seemto have any specific directions.In the Copper-Acelerated Acetic Salt Spray (Fog) Test (CASS Test), the time forcrack initiation andgrowth is rather long, about 500 hours, before the cracks can be detected.Most of the cracks are very fine and can not be seen by nakeed eyes.The fractures of test specimens are of brittle type and mostly transgranular innature. There are some regions in fracture surfaces which show microductile type fractures.Some intergranular fracture and pitting regions are also observed in the fracture surfaces. It isthought that these regions correspond to the area where internal stress has been relieved