September 3, 2025
Journal Article
Deformation band corrosion as a result of applied stress and cold-work in 304 stainless steel in simulated pressurized water reactor primary water conditions
Abstract
Stainless steels like SUS304 are commonly used in pressurized water reactor primary water environments due to their excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). However, susceptibility has been observed in cold-worked SUS304. Cold-rolling introduces a high density of defects, such as deformation bands or dislocations, into the microstructure; applied stress, even if macroscopically below the yield stress, can result in regions with high localized stresses. Corrosion susceptibility of dislocations and deformation bands induced by cold-rolling and/or applied stress during exposure was studied using high-resolution (analytical) transmission electron microscopy. Results are compared to grain-boundary oxides formed under the same conditions, and the implications for SCC susceptibility of cold-worked SUS304 are discussed.Published: September 3, 2025