Stress Corrosion Cracking of 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel with Simulated Welding Microstructures in Simulated Sea Environment at Different Depths

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of 2205 duplex stainless steels (DSSs) with different microstructures in simulated sea environments were studied by electrochemical measurements, electron backscattered diffraction and slow strain rate tensile tests. Heat treatments were used to obtain different microstructures. The DSSs were held at 1350 and 850 °C for 30 min and then quenched in the water. The results showed that the DSSs had a higher SCC susceptibility in simulated shallow sea environment than in the simulated deep-sea environment. Electrochemical mechanism of the SCC process was controlled by environment factors (temperature, hydrostatic pressure and dissolved oxygen content). The mechanisms of SCC changed from anodic dissolution in the simulated shallow sea environment to hydrogen embrittlement in the simulated deep-sea environment. Moreover, the quenched DSSs, especially the steel held at 850 °C, were more vulnerable to SCC than as-received steel in the simulated sea environment due to the deterioration of the microstructure.