Technical note: Stress corrosion cracking mechanism of 304l under a glycine environment

This study investigated the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mechanism of 304L under a glycine environment through electrochemical measurements, soaking test, and slow strain rate tensile test. Results show that the rapidly cooled structure at the weld heat-Affected zone has a significantly higher susceptibility to SCC than the open grain structure. Moreover, glycine concentration influences the electrochemical and SCC behaviors of 304L. The corrosion current density, maintaining a passive current density, and susceptibility to SCC of 304L are proportional to glycine concentration. Meanwhile, the SCC on the sensitized structure of 304L is a joint consequence of anodic dissolution (AD) and hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Intergranular AD initiates cracks, whereas the synergistic effect of AD and HE accelerates crack extension.