Influence of cold rolling on sensitization and intergranular stress corrosion cracking of AISI 304 aged at 500 °C

Sensitization and intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) behavior of deformed AISI 304 prior to aging at temperature 500 °C were investigated. Sensitization was evaluated by double loop electrochemical potentio-kinetic reactivation method and IGSCC studies were carried out using slow strain rate tests in polythionic acid (PTA). The degree of sensitization (DOS) obtained for undeformed specimens was very low as compared to that of deformed prior to sensitization. The undeformed, sensitized AISI 304 was resistant to IGSCC in PTA solution. The specimens deformed by 20 and 40% reduction in thickness were undergone IGSCC (brittle cracking). The deformation >40% prevented the IGSCC, even though the % DOS was significantly high.