7U.S.NRC

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Protecting People and the Environment

NUREG/CR-7030

Atmospheric Stress Corrosion

Cracking Susceptibility of Welded and

Unwelded 304, 304L, and 316L

Austenitic Stainless Steels

Commonly Used for Dry Cask

Storage Containers Exposed to

Marine Environments

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
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*U.S.NRC

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Protecting People and the Environment

Atmospheric Stress Corrosion

Cracking Susceptibility of Welded and

Unwelded 304, 304L, and 316L

Austenitic Stainless Steels

Commonly Used for Dry Cask

Storage Containers Exposed to

Marine Environments

Manuscript Completed: June 2010

Date Published: October 2010

Prepared by

L. Caseres and T.S. Mintz

Southwest Research Institute

6220 Culebra Road

San Antonio, TX 78228

M.M. Bayssie, NRC Project Manager

NRC Job Code N6195

NUREG/CR-7030

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

ABSTRACT

This report documents information on the susceptibility to atmospheric stress corrosion cracking

of welded and unwelded 304, 304L, and 316L austenitic stainless steels commonly used for dry

storage containers exposed to marine environments. Standard U-bend specimens were

exposed to both salt spray and salt fog conditions at temperatures ranging from 25 to 176 °C

[77 to 350 *F] and varying relative humidity. The first test conducted was a salt spray test to

scope out material and residual stress effects. This deliberately conservative test resulted in

extensive cracking and corrosion as was observed in all the 93 and 176 °C [200 and 350 OF] Ubends in as early as 1 month after exposure. Salt spray tests are non-prototypical since

deposition of salt on dry casks is in the form of a dry aerosol; hence, the first test was not

suitable for evaluation of stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steels in

coastal atmospheres. The second test conducted, the salt fog test, was expected to closely

simulate field conditions around dry cask containers, and resulted in stress corrosion cracking

and pitting corrosion in all the 43 0C [109 OF] specimens. Corrosion developed after 4 weeks in

the 304 and 304L specimens, and after 32 weeks in the 316L specimen. This suggests that the

alloy composition plays a role in stress corrosion cracking susceptibility. Cracking was mainly

transgranular with sections of intergranular branching. Cracks were concentrated within the

arch region in all unwelded U-bends and at the heat-affected zone of the welded specimens, as

previously reported in the literature. None of the 85 and 120 0C [185 and 248 OF] specimens

exposed to the salt fog test exhibited stress corrosion cracking; the data are consistent with the

inability of salt deposits to deliquesce at high temperatures.

The tests indicate that chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking is highly dependent on the

concentration of deposited sea salt, residual stress, cask temperature and the relative humidity

of the surrounding environment. The results of the salt fog test may be conservative because

the high absolute humidity used for the test was chosen to bound natural conditions expected in

the dry storage cask environment. However, the results are still pertinent because they

demonstrate that the deliquescence of dry deposited sea salt can lead to stress corrosion

cracking of austenitic stainless steels at temperatures that are only slightly greater than ambient

temperatures. The SCC acceleration factor used in laboratory testing and its implication on

SCC initiation in actual dry storage cask units in the field are difficult to compute. Under the

assumptions presented in this report, which simulate ideal conditions for the onset of SCC,

initiation would be expected between 32 and 128 weeks. However, this is still a rough

estimation because it does not take into account the operating history of the dry storage cask

and the local environmental properties at each cask location.

iii

FOREWORD

During refueling operations at domestic nuclear power plants, fuel that has been removed from

the reactor is stored in spent fuel pools. Because the available space in the spent fuel pools of

many commercial nuclear power plants has reached capacity some plants are currently, or

planning to store spent fuel in NRC-licensed dry storage systems. For plants located near

coastal areas, chloride stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a potential degradation mode for dry

storage system canisters made from austenitic stainless steels. Previous research on chloride

SCC of austenitic stainless steels provides some insight on the effects of material composition

and condition; however, limited information is available to determine the susceptibility of dry

storage system canisters placed inside a ventilated concrete enclosure.

In this research program, an accelerated test method was developed and used to evaluate

factors that affect the chloride SCC of austenitic stainless steels. Testing was conducted using

standardized test specimens with and without welds. The tests specimens were placed in a test

chamber, heated to simulate the range of expected canister surface temperatures, and exposed

to conditions that simulate coastal environments. Test results indicate dry sea salt deposits

exposed to environments with high relative humidity leads to the formation of chloride containing

solutions necessary for chloride SCC of austenitic stainless steels. The SCC susceptibility is

influenced by both temperature and alloy composition.

Although the accelerated test method employed may be conservative compared to typical field

conditions, the results are relevant and indicate long-term operation and accumulation of sea

salts may lead to conditions where chloride SCC of austenitic stainless steel canisters is

possible. The results of this should be considered in the licensing and operation of dry cask

storage installations in coastal environments.

IRA/

Michael Case, Director

Division of Engineering

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

v

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iii

FOREW ORD ................................................................................................................................ v

F IG U R E S ..................................................................................................................................... ix

T A B L E S ...................................................................................................................................... x iii

EXECUTIVE SUM MARY ............................................................................................................ xv

ACKNOW LEDGEM ENTS .......................................................................................................... xvii

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Stress Corrosion Cracking Background ........................................................... 1

1.2 Objective ....................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Scope of W ork and Report Organization .......................................................... 3

2 EXPERIM ENTAL PROCEDURE .................................................................................. 5

2.1 Salt Spray and Salt Fog Tests ......................................................................... 5

2.1.1 U-Bend Specimen Fabrication ................................................... 5

2.1.2 Environmental Cham bers ......................................................... 8

2.1.3 Salt Spray Testing Protocol ..................................................... 11

2.1.4 Salt Fog Testing Protocol ........................................................ 12

2.1.5 Exam ination of SCC ................................................................. 16

2.1.6 Salt Chemical Composition and Deposition Rates .................. 17

2.2 SCC Com plementary Testing ......................................................................... 18

2.2.1 Environmental Temperature and Humidity Profiles ................. 18

2.2.2 Salt Deliquescence and Efflorescence .................................... 18

2.2.3 Controlled Relative Humidity/Temperature Tests .................... 19

3 SALT SPRA Y TESTING RESULTS ............................................................................ 21

3.1 U-Bend Specimens Held At 25 °C [77 OF] ....................................................... 21

3.2 U-Bend Specimens Held At 93 'C [200 OF] ..................................................... 21

3.3 U-Bend Specimens Held At 176 'C [350 OF] ...................................................... 23

3.4 Discussion ...................................................................................................... 25

4 SALT FOG TESTING RESULTS ................................................................................ 29

4.1 U-Bend Specimens Held At 43 °C [109 OF] ...................................................... 30

4.1.1 Results of the 4-W eek Exposure Time ................................... 30

4.1.2 Results of the 16-W eek Exposure Time .................................. 31

4.1.3 Results of the 32-W eek Exposure Time .................................. 33

4.1.4 Results of the 52-W eek Exposure Tim e .................................. 38

4.2 U-Bend Specimens Held At 85 °C [185 OF] and 120 °C [248 OF] .................... 38

4.3 Salt Chem ical Com position and Deposition Rates ......................................... 40

4.4 Discussion ...................................................................................................... 44

4.5 Implications of the Results ............................................................................. 48

5 SCC COM PLIMENTARY TESTING ............................................................................ 51

5.1 Half U-Bend Specimen Testing ....................................................................... 51

5.2 Salt Deliquescence and Efflorescence ............................................................ 54

5.3 Environmental Tem perature and Hum idity Profiles ........................................ 56

5.4 Discussion ...................................................................................................... 57

vii
Table of Contents

CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

6 C O N C LU S IO N S .............................................................................................................. 59

7 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................ 61

8 R E F E R E N C E S ................................................................................................................ 63

viii
Table of Contents

FIGURES

Figure Page

1 U-Bend Specimen Fabrication with Respect to the Sheet Rolling Direction

(Specim en Dim ensions not to Scale) ........................................................................... 7

2 Configuration of the Single and Double U-Bend Specimens ....................................... 7

3 Picture of the Standardized Auto Technology Environmental Chamber ....................... 9

4 Picture of the Custom Stainless Steel Environmental Chamber ................................... 9

5 U-Bend Specimens Placed on Cartridge Heaters in the Custom Environmental

C h a m b e r ......................................................................................................................... 1 0

6 PID Controllers Used to Set and Control the Temperature of the Cartridge Heaters ...... 10

7 Schematics of the Locations of Thermocouples Attached to Selected Single and

Double U-Bend Specimens for Temperature Profile Determination ............................ 12

8 Typical Appearance of the Half U-Bend Samples Used for Salt Deposition

Measurements After 2 W eeks of Exposure ................................................................ 15

9 Schematic of the U-Bend Specimen Arrangement on Each Cartridge Heater ............ 15

10 (a) Schematic of the Cartridge Heater Layout and (b) a Picture of the Standardized

A tm ospheric C ham ber ............................................................................................... 16

11 Typical U-Bend Arrangement Used for the Salt Spray and Salt Fog Tests ................. 16

12 Photograph of the Flat Specimens Exposed to 85 °C [185 OF] Used for the Salt

Deposition Rate Determination. The Specimens Appeared to be Completely White

Because of the Deposited Salt ..................................................................................... 17

13 Typical Surface Appearance of the Single U-Bend Specimens: (a) 304, (b) 304L,

and (c) 316L Held at 25 °C [77 OF] for a 1-Month Exposure ....................................... 21

14 Typical SCC Behavior of the 304 Stainless Steel (a) Single and (b) Double U-Bend

Specimens Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 93 °C [200 OF] ........................ 22

15 Typical SCC Behavior of a 304L Stainless Steel Single U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 93 °C [200 OF] .......................................... 23

16 Typical SCC Behavior of a 316L Stainless Steel Single U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 93 °C [200 OF] .......................................... 23

17 Typical SCC Behavior of a 304 Stainless Steel Single U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 176 °C [350 OF] ........................................ 24

18 Typical SCC Behavior of a 304 Stainless Steel Double U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 176 °C [350 OF] ........................................ 25

19 Typical SCC Behavior of the Inner 316L Stainless Steel Double U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 176 °C [350 OF] ........................................ 25

20 Temperature Profile for a) Single and (b) Double U-Bend Specimens at 93 °C

[200 OF] Subjected to the Salt SprayTest ................................................................... 27

21 Temperature Profile for (a) Single and (b) Double U-Bend Specimens at 176 'C

[350 OF] Subjected to the Salt Spray Test .................................................................. 28

ix
Table of Contents

FIGURES

Figure Page

22 Chamber Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Absolute Humidity Trends as a

Function of Time for Two Consecutive Full Cycles Recorded During the Salt Fog

T e s t ................................................................................................................................. 3 0

23 Pictures of Selected 43 'C [109 OF] 304 and 304L Weld U-Bend Specimens and an

Overall Photograph of all the 43 'C [109 OF] Specimens Mounted on the Heaters

16, 17, and 18 in the Environmental Chamber after 4 Weeks of Exposure. The

Specimen Arrangement in Each Heater is Shown in Figure 9 ................................... 31

24 Pictures of (a) a 43 °C [109 OF] 304L U-Bend Specimen Showing Corrosion

Product and Striation Marks on the Surface, (b) Corrosion Distress of the 304 Weld

U-Bend Specimens, and (c) a 304 Double U-Bend Specimen After 16 Weeks of

E x p o s u re ......................................................................................................................... 3 2

25 Pictures of SCC Observed Near the Outer Surface at the Specimen Arch:

(a and b) a 304 Single U-Bend Specimen and (c and d) a 304L Single U-Bend

Specimen. Both Samples Were Exposed to 43 'C [109 OF] for 16 Weeks of

E x p o s u re ......................................................................................................................... 3 3

26 Pictures of a Cleaned 304 Stainless Steel U-Bend Specimen Exposed for

32 W eeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF] ............................................................ 34

27 Pictures of a Cleaned 304L Stainless Steel U-Bend Specimen Exposed for

32 W eeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF] ............................................................ 34

28 Stereomicroscopic Images of a 316L Stainless Steel: (a) Single, and b) Welded

U -B end S pecim ens .................................................................................................... 35

29 Pictures of Cut Stainless Steel U-Bend Specimens for Microstructure Evaluation ......... 35

30 Stereomicroscopic Image of the Cut 304L Weld U-Bend ............................................ 36

31 Stereomicroscopic Image of a Cleaned 316L Weld U-Bend Exposed for

32 W eeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF] ........................................................... 36

32 Stereomicroscopic Image of a Cleaned 304L Weld U-Bend Exposed for

32 W eeks at a Temperature of 43 'C [109 OF] ........................................................... 37

33 Stereomicroscopic Image of a Cleaned 304 Unwelded Single U-Bend Exposed

for 32 W eeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF] ....................................................... 37

34 Typical Surface Appearances of Unwelded Single U-Bend Specimens Exposed

for 52 Weeks at 43 'C [109 OF]. Striation Marks on the Outer Surface of the 304

and 304L Unwelded Specimens are Indicated ............................................................ 38

35 Pictures of the U-Bend Specimens Exposed to (a) 120 'C [248 OF] and

(b) 85 'C [185 OF] for 52 W eeks of Exposure .............................................................. 39

36 Pictures of the U-Bend Specimens Exposed to (a) 120 °C [248 OF] and

(b) 85 'C [185 OF] for 4 W eeks .................................................................................... 39

37 Pictures of the U-Bend Specimens (a) 120 °C [248 OF] and (b) 85 'C [185 OF]

Before Removal from the Environmental Chamber After 52 Weeks .......................... 40

x
Table of Contents

FIGURES

Figure Page

38 Optical Examinations of the Weld/Heat-Affected Zone of (a) a 304 U-Bend

Specimen and (b) a 316L U-Bend Specimen. Both Specimens Were Exposed

to 85 'C [185 OF] for 32 W eeks .................................................................................. 40

39 Salt Deposition Rates as a Function of Time for the Half U-Bend Samples

Exposed to Salt Fog. Due to the Condensation Issue Inside the Chamber,

the Salt Deposition Rates for the 120 'C [248 OF] Samples are Inaccurate

Between 100 and 365 Days of Exposure .................................................................. 43

40 SCC Susceptibility Map for the Type 304 Stainless Steel (Number in Parenthesis

States Number of Specimens Cracked/Total Number of Specimens Tested) ............ 44

41 SCC Susceptibility Map for the Type 304L Stainless Steel (Number in Parenthesis

States Number of Specimens Cracked/Total Number of Specimens Tested) ............ 45

42 SCC Susceptibility Map for the Type 316L Stainless Steel (Number in Parenthesis

States Number of Specimens Cracked/Total Number of Specimens Tested) ............ 45

43 Evolution of the Relative Humidity as a Function of Temperature Computed for

Various Absolute Humidity Values. The Region Between the Red (Maximum

Humidity) and Blue (Minimum Humidity) Symbols Indicate the Expected

Environmental Conditions Near the U-Bend Surface in the Salt Fog Test ................. 48

44 Typical Surface Appearance Observed for the 304 Stainless Steel Half U-Bend

Samples Subjected to 2-Month at 65 'C [149 OF] and 70 Percent Relative Humidity ..... 52

45 Laser Profilometer Data Evaluating Depth of Pitting on a 304 Stainless Steel

Half U-Bend Sample Exposed to 2-Month at 65 °C [149 OF] and 70 Percent Relative

H u m id ity .......................................................................................................................... 5 2

46 Typical Surface Appearance (Before Cleaning) of the 304 Stainless Steel

Half U-Bends Exposed to 50 °C [122 OF] and 65 Percent Relative Humidity for

2 Months:(a) Initial Salt Deposits on the Surface During the Salt Fog Test,

(b) Simulated Sea Salt Droplets, (c) Sodium Chloride Droplets, and

(d) M agnesium C hloride Droplets ............................................................................... 53

47 Typical Surface Appearance (Before Cleaning) of the 304 Stainless Steel

Half U-Bends Exposed to 50 °C [122 'F] and 40 Percent Relative Humidity for

2 Months:(a) Initial Salt Deposits on the Surface During the Salt Fog Test,

(b) Simulated Sea Salt Droplets, (c) Sodium Chloride Droplets, and

(d) M agnesium C hloride Droplets ............................................................................... 53

48 Typical Surface Appearance (Before Cleaning) of the 304 Stainless Steel

Half U-Bends Exposed to 50 °C [122 OF] and 50 Percent Relative Humidity for

2 Months:(a) Initial Salt Deposits on the Surface During the Salt Fog Test,

(b) Simulated Sea Salt Droplets, (c) Sodium Chloride Droplets, and

(d) M agnesium Chloride Droplets ............................................................................... 53

xi
Table of Contents

FIGURES

Figure Page

49 Deliquescence Experiments Conducted at 50 °C [122 OF] and Relative Humidity

of (a) 20 Percent, (b) 35 Percent, (c) 45 Percent, (d) 55 Percent, (e) 65 Percent,

and (f) 75 Percent. The Salt Sample Labels are (A) Corpus Christi Salt,

(B) Simulated Sea Salt, (C) Sodium Chloride, and (D) Magnesium Chloride ............. 55

50 Temperature, Absolute Humidity, and Relative Humidity Profiles as a Function of

Distance from the U-Bend Samples Heated at Different Temperatures ..................... 56

xii
Table of Contents

TABLES

Table Page

1 Composition of the Stainless Steel Alloys and the Filler Materials Used for Welding ....... 6

2 Modified GM 9540P Accelerated Test Procedure for the Salt Spray Testing ............. 11

3 Accelerated Corrosion Cycles of the Salt Fog Test .................................................... 14

4 Temperature and Relative Humidity Parameters Controlled Relative

H um idity/Tem perature Tests ....................................................................................... 19

5 Chemical Analyses of a Salt Portion Collected from the Surface of Selected 85 °C

[185 'F] U-Bend S pecim ens ....................................................................................... 41

6 Chemical Analyses of a Salt Portion Collected from the Surface of Selected 120 'C

[248 'F] U-Bend Specim ens ....................................................................................... 41

7 Ratio of Anion Concentration to Chloride Concentration of the Deposited Salt and

the B ulk A ST M S ea S alt .............................................................................................. 4 1

8 Ratio of Cation Concentration to Sodium Concentration of the Deposited Salt and

the B ulk A ST M S ea S alt .............................................................................................. 42

9 Salt Deposit Results for the Flat Specimens After a 2-Week Exposure ...................... 42

10 Salt Deposit Results for the Half U-Bend Samples During the Salt Fog Test ............ 43

xiii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Currently, 60 of the 104 operating nuclear power plants have onsite dry storage systems for

spent nuclear fuel. These dry storage systems, which consist of an austenitic stainless steel

canister housed inside either an outer storage cask or a concrete vault, are necessary because

of the limited room available in spent fuel storage pools. Some of these dry storage systems

are located in chloride-rich environments near coastal areas, which may lead to deposition of

chloride salts on the canister surface. Because many of the dry storage canisters are made of

austenitic stainless steels, a potential concern is the susceptibility of these alloys to chlorideinduced stress corrosion cracking (SCC). While much of the research on chloride-induced SCC

of austenitic stainless steel gives insight about the degradation mechanisms and material

performance, there is limited information on SCC in the range of environmental conditions

associated with spent fuel dry storage canisters placed inside a ventilated outer storage cask or

a concrete vault.

To address the above issue, the SCC susceptibility of austenitic stainless steels used in

exposed to humid chloride-rich environments was investigated, using both salt spray and salt

fog tests. Materials studied included types 304, 304L, and 316L stainless steel alloys with and

without welds. The alloys were bent in a U-shape according to the ASTM G30 standard

procedure to generate internal tensile stresses, mounted on cartridge heaters, and placed inside

an atmospheric chamber. The SCC susceptibility was evaluated as a function of the alloy

composition and specimen temperature.

The salt spray test consisted of cyclically spraying the specimen surface with simulated sea salt

solution, following the guidelines an industrial standard for accelerated corrosion testing. SCC

susceptibility was evaluated using single and double unwelded U-bend specimens maintained

at three different temperatures: 25, 93, and 176 'C [77, 200, and 350 OF]. The results of this

test showed no cracking events for all the 25 °C [77 OF] specimens, whereas extensive cracking

was observed for all the 93 0C [200 'F] and 176 0C [350 'F] U-bends after 1 month of exposure.

Cracking on specimens tested at 176 °C [350 OF] was noted on areas of the specimens that

were not in contact with the cartridge heaters. These areas of the specimens were not

maintained at the desired test temperature. In addition, these areas of the U-bend specimens

were cooled below boiling for brief periods after the short salt water spray cycles. Results of the

initial tests indicated that spraying simulated seawater on the test materials was not an

appropriate accelerated test method for evaluating atmospheric SCC susceptibility.

Consequently, a salt fog test was developed to more closely simulate dry storage cask field

conditions. -This test consisted of phases to deposit simulated sea salt on the surface of the

U-bend and exposure of the specimens to controlled high and low relative humidity conditions.

U-bend specimens were tested in triplicate for 4, 16, 32, and 52 weeks of exposure at 43, 85,

and 120 'C [109, 185, and 248 OF].

xv
Executive Summary

The results of this test showed that all the 304 and 304L specimens maintained at 43 0C

[109 OF] exhibited cracking as well as significant corrosion distress in as early as 4 weeks after

exposure. Cracking of the 43 'C [109 OF] 316L stainless steel specimens occurred after

32 weeks of exposure. This suggests, as expected, that the alloy composition plays a role in

the SCC susceptibility. Both isolated corrosion pits and general corrosion were observed on all

of the 43 °C [109 OF] specimens. Cracking was concentrated within the arch area in all

unwelded U-bends, where the tensile stresses were greatest, and at the heat-affected zone of

the welded specimens. Microscopic evidence suggested that the cracks were mainly

transgranular with sections of intergranular branching morphology. The extent of cracking and

corrosion damage became more conspicuous as time progressed in all the alloys at this

temperature. For a given alloy type, welded and unwelded U-bends showed comparable SCC

susceptibility. On the other hand, none of the U-bend specimens at 85 and 120 'C [185 and

248 OF] exhibited SCC susceptibility, consistent with the inability of the salt to deliquesce, even

during the high relative humidity cycles. Nevertheless, a few isolated shallow pits within the

arch area were observed for all the welded alloys held at 85 °C [185 OF] after 4 months of

exposure. No pits were observed in either the unwelded 85 'C [185 OF] specimens or the

welded and unwelded 120 'C [248 OF] specimens.

The dominant pit initiation, crack formation and propagation mechanisms are unclear based on

the information obtained from this study. Literature information suggests that pit nucleation in

unwelded stainless steels exposed to chloride containing solutions occurs mainly at or near

manganese, sulfide and mixed oxide/sulfide inclusions present at the stainless steel surface.

The dominant pit nucleation mechanisms are attributed to the local decrease in pH resulting

from inclusion dissolution and chromium depletion surrounding the inclusions. Cracks started at

or near the pits within the specimen arch and propagated through the specimen cross section.

For welded stainless steels, the most common and relevant factors affecting pit initiation are

related to the interdendritic attack in weld metal zone and sensitized grain boundaries in the

heat-affected zone, resulting in localized chromium depletion.

Overall, the results obtained from this investigation indicate that chloride-induced SCC is highly

dependent on the temperature of the cask surface and relative humidity of the surrounding

environment. The observed salt fog test results are likely conservative because the high

absolute humidity required for cracking may not be consistent with the actual conditions in a dry

storage cask placed inside a concrete vault. However, the results demonstrate that

deliquescence of dry deposited sea salt can lead to stress corrosion cracking of 304, 304L, and

316L stainless steel at slightly elevated temperatures. Based on the results of this investigation,

estimation of the SCC acceleration factor used in the laboratory testing and its implications on

durability and SCC development to actual dry storage cask units in the field are difficult to

compute and requires various assumptions to be made. Under all the assumptions presented in

this report, then, the time to SCC initiation would be expected to be roughly between 32 and

128 weeks. However, this is still a rough estimation because it does not take into account the

operating history of the dry storage cask and the local environmental properties at each cask

location.

xvi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors greatly acknowledge the contributions made by Mr. B. Derby in setting up,

conducting the environmental tests, microstructure evaluations as well as providing technical

support. Mr. D. Noll and Mr. S. Clay helped in the preparation of the U-bends and test

monitoring. Researchers from the Chemical and Engineering Division at Southwest Research

Institute were responsible for the salt chemical analyses in this program. The authors wish to

acknowledge the valuable contributions of Mr. D. Dunn in the early phase of this program. The

authors are grateful to Dr. Robert Tregoning, Mr. Geoffrey Hornseth, and Dr. Mekonen Bayssie

for many helpful discussions and reviews. Thanks to Mr. James Dante for the technical review.

This report describes work done by the Southwest Research Institute for the U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission (NRC) under Contract No. NRC-04-07-108. The activities reported

here were carried out on behalf of the U.S. NRC, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. This

report is an independent product of the Southwest Research Institute and does not necessarily

reflect the views or regulatory position of the U.S. NRC.

xvii
C.
1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Stress Corrosion Cracking Background

The current fleet of nuclear reactors in the United States has been in operation for multiple

decades. During the routine operation of nuclear power plants, spent fuel is removed from the

reactor during outages and stored in spent fuel pools. However, because of the age of some of

these nuclear power facilities and the amount of spent fuel produced, the spent fuel pools have

reached capacity. As a result, nuclear power plants have been using NRC-licensed

independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI), where spent fuel is contained in dry storage

systems. Most of the dry storage systems use canisters that are made of austenitic stainless

steel, including UNS S30400 (304 stainless steel), UNS S30403 (304L stainless steel), and

UNS S31603 (316L stainless steel) (USNRC, 2003a; USNRC 2003b). The stainless steel

canisters are placed either horizontally in concrete vaults or vertically inside steel and concrete

outer casks that provide radiation shielding. The vertical outer storage casks and the concrete

vaults are designed with air passages for passive air circulation so that the environment

surrounding the cask interacts with outside air. As a result of their design, the outer storage

cask and the concrete vaults prohibit precipitation from contacting the stainless steel canisters.

Therefore, it is possible for airborne salts to reach the stainless steel canisters and accumulate

on the surface over time. While there have been no reported cracking events within dry storage

systems, it is well known that austenitic stainless steels are susceptible to chloride-induced

stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in marine environments. Effectively, chloride-induced SCC can

occur if three pre-conditions are met: a susceptible alloy or microstructure, sufficient applied or

residual tensile stress, and a corrosive environment (Toshima and Ikeno, 2000; Huizinga et al.,

2005; NASA, 1971, Wilde, 1971; Speidel, 1981; Cragnolino et al., 2001).

Alloy composition is a key factor in determining SCC susceptibility. Two chemical constituents

known to influence SCC susceptibility of stainless steels are carbon and molybdenum. When

raised to a temperature range between 400 and 800 0C [752 and 1472 'F], carbon diffuses

towards the grain boundary and reacts with available chromium, forming chromium-rich

carbides of a typical composition Cr16Fe 7C6 (Solomon, 1978; Szklarska-Smialowska et al.,

1992). This process, known as sensitization, causes a depletion of chromium at the grain

boundary, and thus, a decrease in the alloy corrosion resistance. It has been observed that 304

stainless steels become susceptible to intergranular SCC when the chromium concentration at

the grain boundary is below 12 weight percent. As such, the nuclear industry has started using

low carbon austenitic stainless steels (e.g., 316L or 304L), which have shown lower SCC

susceptibility than the 304 alloy because of the reduced formation of chromium carbides. On

the other hand, the addition of 2 to 3 percent molybdenum to the 316L stainless steels

enhances the stability of the passive oxide layer, increasing its resistance to SCC (Hayes, et al.,

2006; Macdonald, 1992; Leinonen, 1996; Tsuruta and Okamoto, 1992).

A second key factor associated with SCC is the level of the applied or residual stress present on

a SCC susceptible alloy. The applied or residual stress must be sufficient for the initiation and

1
propagation of SCC. Assis and coworkers (2002) have shown that a typical welding process on

a stainless steel canister can lead to residual stresses near the yield strength of the material.

These high residual stresses are known to be sufficient to initiate SCC.

The final requirement for SCC to occur is related to the environmental conditions surrounding a

stressed SCC susceptible alloy. In particular, the presence of chlorides in high humidity

environments significantly increases the probability of SCC. As expected, the highest chloride

levels (in the form of sodium, calcium, and magnesium chlorides) occur along the coast of the

Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. The metal corrosion rate is directly related

to the chloride content in the atmosphere. The concentration of chlorides in the environment is

dependent on the distance from a large body of salt water, altitude above sea level, and

prevailing winds (Gustafsson and Franz6n, 1996; Meira et. al., 2006). The effect of sheltering

on a metal corrosion and SCC resistance also plays an important role. Chlorides that

accumulate on an exposed surface can be washed away by precipitation. It has been

demonstrated that, for some materials, sheltered exposures facilitate higher corrosion rates than

unsheltered exposures in marine environments (Larrabee, 1953).

The effect of SCC on austenitic stainless steel immersed in chloride-contaminated solutions has

been extensively studied (Truman, 1977; Goldberg, 1976). It has been demonstrated that for

decreasing chloride concentration, the SCC susceptibly of austenitic 304 stainless steel

decreases. Goldberg (1976) reported a decreased time to cracking as the chloride

concentration increased.

In addition to the environmental parameters and alloy composition, temperature is also a key

parameter known to affect SCC susceptibility of stainless steels. The study by Goldberg (1976)

showed that SCC of 316L stainless steels was unlikely in concentrated chloride solutions at a

pHof 2 below 65 0C [149 'F]. Later, studies by Ford and Silverman (1980) on sensitized 304

stainless steels indicated that SCC was observed at temperatures as low as 40 0C [104 'F] if

oxygen is available in significant amounts.

While there is ample research studies carried out on SCC of austenitic stainless steel in chloride

solutions, there is limited information on SCC of austenitic stainless steels exposed to

atmospheric environments that are comparable to those found in dry storage systems. A recent

investigation by Prosek et al. (2009) found that cracking is possible for 304 and 316L stainless

steels exposed to solution droplets of magnesium, sodium, or calcium chloride at temperatures

as low as 30 0C [86 'F] and low relative humidity. By depositing 20 to 100 mg/m 2 [4.55 10-7 to

2.27 10.6 oz/in 2] of chloride on the surface of 304 stainless steels, Fairweather et al. (2008)

observed cracking at a temperature as low as 30 'C [86 'F] with an increased cracking

frequency as the temperature was increased to 60 'C [140 'F]. Initiation and propagation of

SCC of stainless steel storage casks were recently investigated by Tani et al. (2009) using

welded 304L and 316L stainless steels were sprayed with seawater with a chloride surface

coverage of 10 g/m 2 [2.28 10-4 oz/in 2]. Under these conditions, Tani et al. (2009) determined

that 304L stainless steels were susceptible to chloride SCC above 40 'C [104 'F]. Based on

2
the literature data, it appears that cracking is more difficult to initiate at low temperatures,

although the threshold temperature for SCC of stainless steels is dependent upon the

environmental conditions, salt composition, and chloride concentration.

Both salt deliquescence and efflorescence play a role in SCC susceptibility of stainless steel

exposed to marine environments. By definition, the process where salt absorbs moisture from

the air to become a liquid is known as deliquescence. The opposite phenomenon, where the air

pulls moisture out of a salt solution resulting in the formation of a solid salt is called

efflorescence. The salt deliquescence and efflorescence occur at specific relative humidity

values at a given temperature. Because of the kinetic effects, the deliquescence and

efflorescence relative humidity values are not typically equal and the relative humidity where a

salt undergoes efflorescence can be significantly lower than the relative humidity for salt

deliquescence. Salts will deliquesce at various relative humidity depending upon chemistry and

molecular size of the salts (Twomey, 1953; Owens, 1926; Winkler, 1988). The concentration

and composition of atmospheric sea salts vary by geography. However, the typical constituents

dictating the deliquescence and efflorescence points tend to be sodium and magnesium

chlorides.

1.2 Objective

The objective of this research program was to evaluate the SCC susceptibility of welded and

unwelded austenitic stainless steels that are commonly used in dry storage systems situated in

humid, chloride-rich environments. Materials studied included the types 304, 304L, and 316L

stainless steel alloys. The specimens from each alloy were bent in a U-shape to generate

internal tensile stresses and mounted on cartridge heaters inside an atmospheric chamber. The

SCC susceptibility was determined as a function of the alloy composition and specimen

temperature using both salt spray and salt fog tests.

1.3 Scope of Work and Report Organization

The project was divided into two main tasks. The first task, described in Section 3 of this report,

examined the SCC susceptibility of U-bend stainless steels using a direct salt spray test. This

test can be considered an extremely conservative approach since dry storage casks are

sheltered from the external environment by a concrete enclosure. The second task of this

project, described in Section 4, examined the SCC susceptibility of U-bend stainless steels

using a salt fog test. This test was intended to be less conservative than the direct salt spray

test and more representative of dry storage systems sites located in coastal atmospheres with

sea salt aerosols.

The outcome of the salt fog test led to complementary experiments, including salt

deliquescence and efflorescence, atmospheric profile testing, and SCC testing in various

controlled humidity/temperature environments. The salt deliquescence and efflorescence

experiments were carried out to determine the conditions necessary for moisture absorption of

3
several salts at constant representative temperatures. The atmospheric profile testing was

studied to measure the temperature and relative humidity profile around the heated specimens.

Lastly, the SCC testing in controlled humidity/temperature environments was examined to

support the evaluation of SCC initiation in these materials. Results of these complementary

tests are presented in Section 5. Section 6 summarizes the findings of this research program

and Section 7 provides recommendations for future technical research to diagnose SCC

susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel canisters used in dry storage systems located in

coastal atmospheres.

4
2 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The experimental approach consisted of the implementation of three main types of tests: salt

spray, salt fog, and complementary tests. The salt spray and salt fog tests were directly related

to the evaluation of SCC susceptibility and are described in Section 2.1. The complementary

tests were carried out in support of the salt fog test to determine SCC susceptibility under

environmental conditions not explored in the other atmospheric tests.

2.1 Salt Spray and Salt Fog Tests

This section addresses the U-bend fabrication, instrumentation, and the experimental

approaches used to determine the SCC behavior of austenitic stainless steels.

2.1.1 U-Bend Specimen Fabrication

Atmospheric SCC tests were carried out for 304, 304L, and 316L austenitic stainless steels with

and without welds. The 304 and 304L welded specimens used 308 and 308L stainless steels

as filler materials, respectively. The 316L stainless steel was welded with a 316L filler material.

The chemical compositions of the alloys and the filler materials are shown in Table 1.

The alloys were purchased in sheet form with a nominal thickness of 0.318 cm [0.125 in]. The

specimens to be bent were initially hydro-jet cut from the stock materials, so that the rolling

direction 1 was perpendicular to the length of the specimens, as shown schematically in

Figure 1. Through-thickness circular holes, 0.95 cm [0.375 in] diameter centered at 1.27 cm

[0.5 in] from both specimen ends, were machined to accommodate an Alloy C-276 bolt and nut

electrically isolated from the specimen by ceramic shoulder washers to maintain specimen

displacement.

The U-bend specimens were fabricated by bending the flat specimens 1800 around a 1.27 cm

[0.5 in] diameter mandrill following the ASTM G30 standard procedure (ASTM, 1997). The

U-bend specimens were kept in the mandrill under stress while the Alloy C-276 stressing

elements were tightened to maintain specimen displacement. The strain E = t/2R at the arch of

the U-bend was estimated to be 0.25 in/in, where t is the specimen thickness and R is the

radius of the bend.

Two types of specimens were prepared, single and double U-bend specimens. The latter was

used to simulate a crevice environment. The single U-bend specimens were 12.7 cm [5 in] long

and 1.9 cm [0.75 in] wide. The double U-bend specimens, made of 304 and 316L stainless

SCC susceptibility is highly dependence on the specimen orientation as a function of the rolling

direction. This test orientation was chosen because the expected resistance to SCC is lowest

perpendicular to the rolling direction as cracking can propagate along the elongated grains in the rolling

direction (ASM Handbooks, 2004).

5
steels 2, consisted of two overlapping specimens of the same alloy. The inner specimen had the

same dimensions as the single U-bend, while the outer specimen was 13.65 cm [5.375 in] long

and 1.9 cm [0.75 in] wide. Figure 2 shows the configuration of the single and double U-bend

specimens without welds. Each U-bend specimen was inspected under a 50X magnification

after bending to ensure that no cracks or fissures were present before testing.

In addition, half U-bend samples, 5.08 cm [2 in] long, 2.54 cm [1 in] wide and 0.317 cm

[0.125 in] thick, were placed in the center of each cartridge heater during the salt fog test for salt

deposition monitoring and temperature control as described in Section 2.1.6. Additional half

U-bend samples were used for SCC evaluation in environments other than those studied in the

atmospheric chambers as described in Section 2.2.3. The fabrication of the half U-bend

samples was similar to the U-bends except that the half U-bends did not have extended legs or

the stressing elements. This allowed for easy removal from the cartridge heaters.

Table I Composition of the Stainless Steel Alloys and the Filler Materials Used for Weld ino

Material Fe Cr Ni Mo Mn C S P N Si Cu

Type 304 Bal 18.19 8.07 N/A 1.21 0.039 0.002 0.026 0.042 0.55 N/A

Type 304L Bal 18.14 8.07 0.18 1.29 0.025 0.001 0.025 0.032 0.34 0.27

Type 316L Bal 16.43 10.13 2.06 1.35 0.019 0.0006 0.027 0.022 0.51 0.32

ER308 Bal 19.92 9.61 0.10 1.35 0.051 0.002 0.023 0.019 0.36 0.14

ER308L Bal 20.12 9.79 0.05 1.75 0.009 0.010 0.014 0.043 0.47 0.05

ER316L Bal 18.10 11.05 2.22 1.63 0.023 0.016 0.026 0.04 0.41 0.39

Mill test reports supplied by Ta Chen International Co., AK Steel, and Inweld Co. For confirmation purposes,

An-Tech Laboratories Inc. carried out mill tests on companion samples.

2 Type 304L stainless steel was not used for the double U-bend specimens, because the type 304 and

316L stainless steels bound the range of SCC susceptible materials.

6
24'

Figure 1 U-Bend Specimen Fabrication With Respect to the Sheet Rolling Direction

(Specimen Dimensions not to Scale)

Figure 2 Configuration of the Single and Double U-Bend Specimens

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Welded U-bend specimens were prepared from gas tungsten arc welded (GTAW) Type 304,

304L and 316L materials. The GTAW procedure was qualified to the requirements of the ASME

Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code Section IX using a qualified welder (ASME, 2003a).

Completed welds were examined by IHI Southwest Technology Inc., using a radiographic

technique (RT) in accordance with the acceptance criteria in ASME B&PV Code Section III

WB-5000 (ASME, 2003b). Materials that passed the ASME criteria were then machihed into

U-bend specimens with the weld crown located at the apex of the specimen outer surface,

following both the ASTM G57 standard procedure (ASTM, 2005). Each welded U-bend

specimen was inspected at a 50X magnification after bending to ensure that no cracks or

fissures were present before testing.

2.1.2 Environmental Chambers

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the standardized environmental chamber (Auto Technology model

number CCT-NC-40) and the custom environmental chamber used for the SCC testing of the

U-bend specimens. The standardized environmental chamber was used for the specimens held

at or below 120 °C [248 OF] whereas the custom environmental chamber was used for the

specimens held above 120 'C [248 OF]. The custom environmental chamber was made of 316L

stainless steel and contained two spray nozzles at the top of the chamber. The standardized

environmental chamber was equipped with two fogging towers and eight spray nozzles for

enhanced spray/fog coverage. Before the test initiation, the chamber internal humidity sensor,

dry bulb temperature, and bubble tower sensor were calibrated.

Each environmental chamber was equipped with horizontal test racks used to hold an array of

tubular cartridge heaters, 1.905 cm [0.75 in] diameter and 45.72 cm [18 in] long, for heat supply

to the U-bend specimens. Teflon® tape was wrapped around the cartridge heaters before the

placement of the U-bend specimens. The temperature of each cartridge heater was controlled

by a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller from Agilent (model number 34970A),

shown in Figure 6. The inner radius of the apex curvature of the U-bends was in intimate

contact with the cartridge heaters as shown in Figures 5 and 11.

To monitor the specimen temperature, selected U-bend specimens were mounted on each

cartridge heater and instrumented with Type K thermocouples, as shown in Figure 5. A small

hole was drilled at the specimen arch on the cross section of the U-bend, and a thermocouple

was then inserted and kept in place with a silicone sealant. The temperature was monitored

over time and stored in a portable computer (Figure 6). The temperature of each cartridge

heater was then automatically adjusted to maintain the temperature of the instrumented

thermocouple at the set point.

The temperature and relative humidity inside the environmental chambers were maintained

within the target values by introducing a calibrated Vaisala® temperature and humidity probe

(model number HM70) in the center of the chamber. The information obtained from the probe

was used to modify the chamber set points in order to achieve the desired environmental

conditions.

8
Figure 3 Picture of the Standardized Auto Technology Environmental Chamber

Figure 4 Picture of the Custom Stainless Steel Environmental Chamber

9
Figure 5 U-Bend Specimens Placed on Cartridge Heaters in the Custom

Environmental Chamber

Figure 6 PID Controllers Used to Set and Control the Temperature of the Cartridge

Heaters

For the first phase of the program, the salt spray testing was studied in both the standardized

and custom environmental chambers. For the second phase of the program, the salt fog testing

10
was carried out only in the standardized environmental chamber, since the specimen

temperatures were at or below 120 0C [248 OF] and this chamber is better suited to maintaining

comparable environmental conditions among the specimens inside the chamber.

2.1.3 Salt Spray Testing Protocol

For the salt spray test, the conditions in the environmental chamber followed the guidelines of

the General Motors (GM) 9540P accelerated corrosion test (General Motors, 1997) but with

several modifications. The modified GM 9540P test procedure, shown in Table 2, consisted of

four cycles of spraying the specimens with simulated sea salt for 15 sec, each followed by a

90 min hold time. Afterwards, a hold time of 209 min took place followed by a 480 min dry

cycle. After the dry cycle, the procedure repeated itself starting with the spray cycle.

Throughout the test, the chamber temperature was maintained at 25 0C [77 OF] and the relative

humidity was allowed to fluctuate freely with the ambient conditions inside the chamber. The

simulated sea salt used for the spray cycles was prepared according to the ASTM D 1141-98

(ASTM, 2003).

Table 2 Modified GM 9540P Accelerated Test Procedure for the Salt Spray Testing

Cycle Number Cycle Description Cycle Time

1 Spray with Simulated Sea Salt 15 sec

2 Hold at Current Conditions 90 min

3 Spray with Simulated Sea Salt 15 sec

4 Hold at Current Conditions 90 min

5 Spray with Simulated Sea Salt 15 sec

6 Hold at Current Conditions 90 min

7 Spray with Simulated Sea Salt 15 sec -

8 Hold at Current Conditions 90 min

9 Hold at Current Conditions 209 min

10 Dry 480 min

Triplicate unwelded single and double U-bend specimens for each alloy were used. The

specimen temperature was set to 25, 93, and 176 0C [77, 200, and 350 OF]. For the 25 °C

[77 OF] specimens, the cartridge heaters were replaced by a 1.27 cm [0.5 in] Teflon® rod.

Exposure times were set to 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 13 months. However, the test was discontinued

2 months after initiation due to the significant SCC noted in the majority of the specimens

exposed at 93 °C [200 OF] and 176 0C [350 OF]. As discussed in Section 3, because of the

observed temperature drop on the specimen during the direct application of the salt spray, the

salt spray test environment proved to be extremely aggressive and more severe than what

would be expected in dry storage cask environments.

As mentioned earlier, surface temperature of a material can have a significant effect on the

surrounding environmental conditions, which ultimately affects the SCC susceptibility. To

determine the severity of the salt spray test protocol, selected single and double U-bends were

11
instrumented with thermocouples at the specimen arch, arch-to-leg transition, and the leg

regions for temperature profile determination (Figure 7). A total of three and six thermocouples

were installed in single and double U-bend specimens, respectively.

Therm ocouple

Mun

Hardware

Sardware

Single Double

Figure 7 Schematics of the Locations of Thermocouples Attached to Selected Single

and Double U-Bend Specimens for Temperature Profile Determination

2.1.4 Salt Fog Testing Protocol

As stated in Section 2.1.3, the salt spray test represents an extremely severe environment

compared to in-service conditions of dry storage casks. As a result, a new salt fog test protocol

was developed that was more representative of the actual environmental conditions expected

for dry storage systems in coastal atmospheres.

The salt fog test was partitioned into two phases. The first phase was used to deposit an initial

layer of salt on the surface of the U-bend specimens. The deposited salt is a necessary

requirement for SCC development if the environmental conditions are propitious. To

accomplish this, three salt deposition methods were studied. The first approach consisted of

heating the U-bends to 70 0C [158 OF] on a hot plate followed by a light brushing of the

specimen surface with a paintbrush previously impregnated with simulated sea salt. The

second approach consisted of dipping the U-bends in a simulated sea salt solution at room

temperature for about 10 sec followed by a drying period at 70 0C [158 OF]. Both approaches

did not give a salt layer evenly deposited on the metal surface. Therefore, they were rejected.

An alternative salt deposition method was developed, which involved the exposure of U-bends

at high temperatures while periodically fogging the surrounding environment with sea salt

aerosols inside the standardized atmospheric chamber. The validation of this approach was

studied on companion U-bends and was accomplished by cyclic fogging periods of 5 min using

simulated sea salt followed by 15 min dry time. The cycle was repeated for 2 weeks. During

this period, the U-bend specimens were maintained at 95 0C [203 'F] while keeping the

chamber temperature at 30 0C [86 OF]. The resulting salt layer was evenly distributed over the

specimen surface with slightly higher salt accumulation at the specimen arch. After deposition,

12
the salt was removed from the surface of these companion specimens, and the surface

condition of the U-bends was examined to ensure that the deposited salt did not lead to crack

formation, localized corrosion, or uniform corrosion. Based on favorable visual observations,

this method was then adopted during the first phase of the salt fog test. Figure 8 shows an

image of the half U-bend samples after the salt deposition phase.

Immediately after the conclusion of the salt deposition phase and without removing the

specimens from the chamber, the accelerated corrosion testing phase started, exposing the

specimens to a continuous high humidity and dry cycles with periodic salt deposition cycles at

selected times (see Table 3). The salt fog test was significantly different from the previously

described salt spray test. Dry deposition of sea salts was accomplished using short salt fog

periods. In addition, this test protocol subjected the specimens to changes in relative humidity

to allow deliquescence and efflorescence of the deposited salts to occur while maintaining or

increasing the amount of salt accumulated on the specimen surface.

As shown in Table 3, the salt fog test protocol consisted of four 5 min salt fogging cycles each

followed by a 60 min ambient cycle. During the ambient cycle, the chamber was allowed to

reach a pseudo equilibrium state based on the environmental conditions that resulted from the

previous cycle. This part of the protocol was used to maintain a thin salt layer on all the

specimens throughout the exposure time necessary for continuing SCC development.

Following the salt fog deposition periods, alternating dry and high humidity cycles were applied

to represent conditions of low and high relative humidities associated with diurnal temperature

and humidity variations in field applications. The dry cycle was carried out for 100 min by

pulling moist air out of the chamber and replacing it with dry air. During the salt fog, ambient,

and dry cycles, the chamber internal temperature was set to 30 0C [86 OF]. Two cycles (10 and

11) with increased humidity levels at 30 0C [86 OF] followed. The first increase in humidity

during cycle 10 (Table 3) was carried out for 125 min and was accomplished by filling the

bottom of the chamber with deionized water. For the second 55 min high humidity cycle, the

deionized water in the bottom of the chamber was heated to 52 0C [126 OF], which increased

both the chamber relative humidity and temperature. The environmental chamber settings,

which controlled the temperature set points of the chamber heaters, had to be adjusted in order

to obtain a target high humidity above 70 percent, while maintaining the temperature of the

U-bend specimens at ±5 0C [±9 OF] from their desired temperatures. After the high humidity

cycle, a 180 min dry cycle was repeated at the end of the test protocol. Throughout the salt fog

test, the relative humidity was allowed to fluctuate freely with the ambient conditions inside the

chamber. The entire cycling sequence was repeated twice a day for 52 weeks.

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Table 3 Accelerated Corrosion Cycles of the Salt Fog Test

Cycle Cycle Number NumberTime, Chamber Cycle Time min Cycle Description

1 Salt fog 5

2 Ambient 60

3 Salt fog 5

4 Ambient 60

5 Salt fog 5 Deposit salt on the specimens

6 Ambient 60

7 Salt fog 5

8 Ambient 60

9 Dry 100 Low relative humidity

10 Increase humidity 125 Increase relative humidity in chamber

11 High humidity 55 Highest relative humidity

12 Dry 180 Low relative humidity

The salt fog test was carried out for 4, 16, 32, and 52 weeks of exposure, using triplicate

specimens for each specimen type. Prior to testing, the specimens were mounted on cylindrical

tubular heaters inside the test chamber as described in Section 2.1.2. Each cartridge heater

accommodated 16 specimens and 2 half U-bend samples for temperature control and salt

deposition rate measurements (Figure 9). The 16 specimens were comprised of two unwelded

single and two welded single U-bend specimens for each of the 304, 304L, and 316L materials,

and two double U-bend specimens for each of the 304 and 316L materials.

After the initial salt deposition was completed and during the first week of testing, the U-bend

target temperatures were originally set to 43, 95, and 135 0C [109, 203, and 275 'F]. However,

due to the high thermal mass resulting from the small chamber volume compared to the total

surface area of the test specimens, the chamber relative humidity would not increase above a

value of 70 percent. Therefore, the temperature of the 95 and 135 0C [203 and 275 'F]

specimens was decreased to 85 and 120 0C [185 and 248 'F] for the remainder of the test.

Figure 10 shows a schematic of the layout of the heaters inside the chamber and a

representative picture of the experimental setup of the salt fog test. As shown in Figure 11, the

inner surface of the specimen arch was positioned facing upward in close contact with the

heater perimeter so that salt could accumulate on the outer specimen surface where increased

stress concentration was expected.

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Figure 8 Typical Appearance of the Half U-Bend Samples Used for Salt Deposition

Measurements After 2 Weeks of Exposure

304L

Weld 316L 316L

304L

304 Temp. Weld 316L 316L 304

316L 304 304 304L Salt 316L 304 304 304L

Weld Weld Double Single Measure Weld Weld Double Single

Single Single Single Single

Figure 9 Schematic of the U-Bend Specimen Arrangement on Each Cartridge Heater

15
Heater13 a

Heater 14 Heater 2

Heater 15 1 Heater3

C (43 43 T

(a) (b)

Figure 10 (a) Schematic of the Cartridge Heater Layout and (b) a Picture of the

Standardized Atmospheric Chamber

Cartridge

heater

-I---------

I( I I\

'C

Figure 11 Typical U-Bend Arrangement Used for the Salt Spray and Salt Fog Tests

2.1.5 Examination of SCC

In order to determine if cracking events were purely the consequence of the

stress/solution/environment interaction, rather than being attributed to the bending process,

each U-bend specimen was examined to ensure that no cracking was present before testing.

After each exposure time, the U-bend specimens were photographed and cleaned in an

ultrasonic bath filled with distilled water followed by cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and diluted

hydrochloric acid. Afterwards, all the specimens were inspected using an optical microscope

16
(Olympus PMG3) with a resolution of 50X. If cracks were not found at that magnification, the

suspected specimens were examined at a 50OX magnification.

2.1.6 Salt Chemical Composition and Deposition Rates

The nature of the salt composition will affect its deliquescence (and efflorescence) behavior,

which is closely related to the SCC susceptibility. Samples of salt were collected at selected

times from the surface of several of the U-bend test specimens at each test temperature.

Samples were stored in tightly sealed plastic bags. The salt composition was determined using

both inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and ion chromatography techniques.

Seawater solutions of known composition were also obtained from the Gulf of Mexico near

Corpus Christi, TX and used for calibration and verification of the testing devices.

In order to determine the salt deposition rates before the salt fog test, a 6-week test was initially

examined using 304 stainless steel flat specimens of the same dimensions as the half U-bend

samples. The flat specimens were placed inside the chamber and heated to 43, 85, and 120 0C

[109, 185, and 248 OF]. The chamber temperature and relative humidity were set to 35 0C

[95 'F] and 25 percent, respectively, which corresponded to an absolute humidity of 10 g/m 3

[3.61 10-7 lb/in 3]. Each salt fog cycle was 5 min long carried out every 20 min for a total of

3 cycles/hr. A picture of the 85 0C [185 OF] specimens during testing is shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12 Photograph of the Flat Specimens Exposed to 85 °C [185 *F] Used for the Salt

Deposition Rate Determination. The Specimens Appeared to be Completely

White Because of the Deposited Salt

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Salt deposition rates were computed as follows:

Salt deposition rate / mg m-2 day-1 = (Ws-Wc) A-1 t-' (1)

where Ws and Wc are the specimen weights before and after salt removal, respectively, A is the

one-sided specimen area, and t is the exposure time.

During the actual execution of the salt fog test, salt deposition rates were computed over time

using half U-bend samples mounted on the cartridge heaters at the beginning of the exposure

(Figure 8). At selected exposure times, a single half U-bend sample at each temperature was

extracted from the chamber and immediately weighed before salt removal to avoid salt

deliquescence. Then, the salt was removed from the half U-bend surface with deionized water,

and the sample was dried and weighed to determine the weight change. The weights were

taken using an analytical balance with an accuracy of 0.1 mg [3.53 10-6 oz].

2.2 SCC Complementary Testing

In order to develop a more realistic, yet still conservative accelerated SCC test, additional

experiments were carried out. These experiments gave a better understanding of the

underlying processes controlling SCC of the specimens exposed during the salt fog test and the

environmental conditions associated with salt deliquescence necessary for SCC. Tests were

carried out to: (1) measure the environmental relative humidity and temperature profiles

surrounding a heated U-bend specimen, (2) determine the salt deliquescence and efflorescence

points, and (3) evaluate SCC under various controlled humidity/temperature conditions other

than those examined in the atmospheric chamber.

2.2.1 Environmental Temperature and Humidity Profiles

In order to understand the environmental properties surrounding a loaded spent fuel canister, a

temperature-humidity profile was studied around a heated U-bend specimen. The test was

done by heating multiple U-bend specimens to 60, 70, 80, 94, and 120 0C [140, 158, 176, 201,

and 248 OF] in the environmental chamber. The chamber relative humidity and air temperature

were held at 95 percent and 35 0C [95 OF], respectively. Using calibrated calipers and a

Vaisala® temperature/humidity probe, the relative humidity, absolute humidity, and temperature

were measured at various distances from the arch of the U-bend to the centerline of the

Vaisala® probe where the sensor is located, both in the horizontal and vertical directions.

2.2.2 Salt Deliquescence and Efflorescence

Salt deliquescence and efflorescence as a function of relative humidity and salt composition

were determined at 50 and 80 0C [122 and 176 'F]: Four salt samples tested included a

certified reagent grade sodium chloride, anhydrous magnesium chloride, simulated sea salt, and

a sample of sea salt collected from the Gulf of Mexico near Corpus Christi, TX. The sea salt

from the Corpus Christi was filtered through a 0.22 pm [8.66 pin] filter paper before solution

evaporation. Salt samples were weighed and transferred to glass beakers placed inside an

18
ESPEC humidity chamber (model number ETH2). The chamber relative humidity was varied

from 20 percent up to 80 percent in 5 percent increments during a period of 24 hr. Visual

observation of the salts was carried out for each relative humidity increment.

2.2.3 Controlled Relative Humidity/Temperature Tests

In order to evaluate the environmental relative humidity and temperature conditions leading to

SCC besides those examined in the standardized environmental chamber, additional tests were

carried out in the ESPEC humidity chamber. Companion 304 stainless steel half U-bend

samples were placed with the outer surface of the arch facing upward as in the actual testing.

Before this test, simulated sea salt was deposited on half U-bend samples, following the

procedure described in Section 2.1.4. After the initial salt deposition, the half U-bend samples

were placed in the humidity chamber at various temperature and relative humidity combinations

(see Table 4) for 1-month and 2-month exposures. Concurrently, additional testing was carried

out to determine the effect of solution chemistry on SCC development. Three different liquid

droplet compositions were examined: sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and simulated sea

salt. At the beginning of the exposure, one 500-pL solution droplet of the trial solution

composition was placed on the arch of a salt-free half U-bend specimen. Several specimens of

each droplet composition were manufactured for testing at relative humidities of 40, 50, and

65 percent. The test was carried out for up to 2 months at 50 0C [122 'F]. After exposure, the

samples were photographed and examined by optical microscopy. A laser profilometer

(Z-Scope) with wavelength of 632 nm and vertical and lateral resolutions of 0.5 pIm and 1 pm

[19.7 pin and 39.4 pin], respectively, was used to scan the surface of the U-bends to determine

the topography associated with surface degradation after exposure.

Table 4 Temperature and Relative Humidity Parameters of the Controlled Relative

Humidity/Temperature Tests

Temperature, °C [OF] Relative Humidity, %

65 [149] 70

50 [122] 65

50 [122] 50

50 [122] 40

19

3 SALT SPRAY TESTING RESULTS

This section presents the results of the U-bend testing in the modified GM 9540P test procedure

described in Section 2.1.3. The results include cracking data of 304, 304L, and 316L stainless

steel single and double U-bend specimens exposed to the GM 9540P for 1-month and 2-month

exposure periods. Initially, three U-bend specimens for each alloy were placed in the chamber

for 1-month and 2-month exposure periods.

3.1 U-Bend Specimens Held At 25 °C [77 'F]

Optical examination of the single and double U-bend specimens that were held at 25 °C [77 'F]

showed minor corrosion distress for the 304 stainless steel, but no signs of cracking for all the

alloys for both 1-month and 2-month exposure periods. This observation was consistent with

the specimen temperature being lower than the expected critical temperature for SOC

development.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 13 Typical Surface Appearance of the Single U-Bend Specimens: (a) 304,

(b) 304L, and (c) 316L Held at 25 °C [77 OF] for a 1-Month Exposure

3.2 U-Bend Specimens Held At 93 °C [200 'F]

Specimens held at 93 00 [200 'F] and exposed to the salt spray for 1 month showed evidence

of cracking for all the alloys. For instance, all six 304 stainless steel single and double U-bend

specimens showed cracking in the legs, leg-to-arch transition, and arch regions. Figure 14

shows examples of the typical stress corrosion cracking of both the single and double U-bend

specimens exposed for 1 month. The 304L stainless steel single U-bends also showed cracks

along the whole length of the material as illustrated in Figure 15. The SOC behavior of the 316L

stainless steel U-bend specimens was different from the 304 and 304L stainless steels. Only

one of the 316L stainless steel single U-bend specimens cracked 1 month after exposure

(Figure 16). However, cracking was observed on all three of the 316L double U-bend

21
specimens. On one of these U-bend specimens, cracking was only observed on the inner

U-bend specimen. This is likely due to the crevice retaining residual salt solution. However, the

other two 316L double U-bends had cracking on both the inner and outer U-bend specimens.

Additionally, cracking did not occur in the arch region for the 316L samples and was restricted to

the leg and arch-to-leg transition regions.

The amount of cracking increased for the 2-month exposure for the specimens held at 93 °C

[200 OF] compared to that observed during the 1-month exposure. All six of the 304 stainless

steel single and double U-bend specimens showed SCC, located along the whole length of the

specimen. Similarly, all three of the 304L stainless steel single U-bends cracked after 2 months.

Interestingly, none of the specimens cracked in the arch region but only along the leg and the

leg-to-arch transition regions. All three of the 316L stainless steel single and double U-bend

specimens showed stress corrosion cracks after 2 months. Cracking was limited to the leg and

arch-to-leg transition regions and both the inner and outer U-bend regions. A few cracks were

observed in the arch region of the 316L stainless steel double U-bend specimens, but these

were only found in the crevice region.

(a) (b)

Figure 14 Typical SCC Behavior of the 304 Stainless Steel (a) Single and (b) Double

U-Bend Specimens Exposed for I Month at a Temperature of 93 °C [200 °F]

22
Figure 15 Typical SCC Behavior of a 304L Stainless Steel Single U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for I Month at a Temperature of 93 °C [200 °F]

Crack

Figure 16 Typical SCC Behavior of a 316L Stainless Steel Single U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 93 °C [200 *F]

3.3 U-Bend Specimens Held At 176 °C [350 OF]

The U-bend specimens held at 176 'C [350 OF] exposed to the salt spray for 1 month showed

evidence of cracking in some of the alloys. For instance, one of three 304 stainless steel single

U-bends and all of the 304 stainless steel double U-bend specimens showed cracking in the leg

region as shown in Figures 17 and 18. Moreover, two of the three 316L stainless steel single

U-bends showed evidence of SCC in the leg region. Similarly, two of the three 316L stainless

steel double U-bend samples showed the occurrence of SCC. The cracks observed on the

316L double samples were only located on the inner U-bend sample in the legs or arch-to-leg

23
transition regions. An image of the SCC that occurred on the inner U-bend sample for the 316L

stainless steel double samples is shown in Figure 19. On the other hand, no SCC was

observed in any of the 304L stainless steel single U-bends.

As expected, the amount of SCC on the specimens exposed for 2 months increased compared

to that observed for 1 month. All of the 304 stainless steel single and double U-bends

developed SCC, limited to the leg region for the single U-bend specimens and along the archto-leg transition and the leg regions for the double specimens. All three of the 316L stainless

steel single and double U-bends showed SCC, limited to the arch-to-leg transition and leg

regions for the single U-bend specimens. The cracks observed on the double specimens were

located on the leg region for the outer specimens and in both the leg and arch-to-leg transition

regions for the inner specimens. On the other hand, only one of the 304L stainless steel

U-bends showed signs of SCC concentrated around the arch-to-leg transition region.

Figure 17 Typical SCC Behavior of a 304 Stainless Steel Single U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for I Month at a Temperature of 176 °C [350 OF]

I

24
Figure 18 Typical SCC Behavior of a 304 Stainless Steel Double U-Bend Specimen

Exposed for 1 Month at a Temperature of 176 °C [350 OF]

Figure 19 Typical SCC Behavior of the Inner 316L Stainless Steel Double U-Bend

Specimen Exposed for I Month at a Temperature of 176 °C [350 °F]

3.4 Discussion

As mentioned earlier, surface temperature of a metal plays a key role in the susceptibility to

stress corrosion cracking. The temperature affects the surrounding environment properties

(discussed in Section 5), the evaporation rate of any liquid in contact with the surface, and the

activation energy for SCC initiation. SCC was not observed on any of the specimens held at

25 0C [77 OF]. This observation is in agreement with those reported by Truman (1977), where

below a temperature of roughly 45 0C [113 OF], SCC was not observed in 304 stainless steel

exposed to sodium chloride at pH of 2. In the current effort, SCC was observed on the U-bend

25
specimens that were held at temperatures of either 93 0C [200 OF] or 176 0C [350 OF]. It was

expected that the 93 0C [200 OF] samples would have some form of SCC because the

temperature was below the boiling point of simulated sea salt but high enough for SCC initiation.

This temperature allows the salt to remain in solution on the surface of the samples leading to

an environment where SCC can occur. However, it was not expected that SCC would be

observed on any of the samples held at 176 0C [350 OF]. At these temperatures, the water

present in the simulated sea salt was expected to have boiled quickly from the surface of the

samples, leaving behind a dry salt on the metal surface. This scenario would not allow the

necessary environment to develop that could lead to SCC. In order to examine how the

temperature may have affected the SCC susceptibility of the U-bend samples, both single and

double U-bend samples were machined and fitted with thermocouples to measure the

temperature profile between the arch and leg of the samples. As can be seen in Figure 7,

temperature probes were affixed to the U-bend samples in the leg, arch-to-leg transition, and

arch regions. For the double U-bend sample, temperature probes were placed in the same

three areas, in both the inner and outer U-bend elements. The temperature profiles were

measured using the same modified GM 9540P procedure used for the U-bend SCC tests

described in Section 2.1.3.

The results of the temperature profile testing for the 93 0C [200 OF] and 176 0C [350 OF] U-bend

specimens exposed to the salt spray test are shown in Figures 20 and 21. During the test, there

was a temperature gradient (-3 0C [-37 OF] for the 93 0C [200 OF] specimens and -20 0C

[-68 OF] for the 176 0C [350 OF] specimens) between the legs and the arch of the U-bends. The

specimen legs, which were not in contact with the heating element, acted as fins cooling off the

U-bend specimens. In addition to the temperature gradient, there was a significant temperature

decrease in the U-bends (roughly 32 0C [90 OF] for the 93 0C [200 OF] specimens and 80 00

[175 OF] for the 176 0C [350 OF] specimens) during the salt spray cycles. The temperature drop

was related to the deposition of the salt solution, sprayed at 25 0C [77 OF], on the U-bend

specimen surface. This temperature drop allowed the simulated sea salt to remain in solution

on the surface of the U-bends for a certain period after each spray cycle. It is expected that the

simulated sea salt deposited on the low temperature specimens would remain in solution longer

than it normally would at elevated specimen temperatures. The temperature gradient along the

length of the U-bend specimens likely led to the leg regions being in contact with the simulated

salt solution for a longer period. It is suspected that this is the reason why more cracking was

observed in the leg and leg-to-arch transition regions than in the arch of the U-bends held at

either 93 °C [200 OF] or 176 0C [350 OF].

In summary, the environment in the salt spray test was extremely aggressive and promoted

rapid SCC in the austenitic stainless steels. Moreover, this environment is not representative of

actual service conditions of dry storage canisters. As a result, the salt fog test was developed to

minimize the temperature drop over the entire U-bend surface observed during the spray

operation. While the temperature gradient from the arch to specimen leg will still be present, it

should be decreased by the insulation provided by the deposited salt. More importantly, the

large temperature drop that occurs when the spray impinges on the specimen (Figure 20) is

26
eliminated in the salt fog test. In addition, the salt fog test was developed as a more

representative, yet still functions as an accelerated test of field conditions for dry storage system

canisters. The results of the salt fog testing are presented in Section 4.

120

110

100 "

('3

E

U,

90

80

70

60

50

-Arch

-Arch-to-Leg Transition

-Leg

(a) " •

40

120

110

100

90

80

70

0 0.2 0.4

Time (Days)

0.6 0.8

E

0

60

50

40

0 0.2 0.4 0.6

Time (Days)

0.8

Figure 20 Temperature Profile for a) Single and b) Double U-Bend Specimens at 93 °C

[200 *F] Subjected to the Salt SprayTest

27
200

180 -LegL 

160

140

Ca

a 120

E

100

80

6 0 1 

,

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

Time (Days)

200

180

-----------------

160 - -- -- -- --

0

140

a 120

E

9 ----- InnerArch

100 - OuterArch

----- InnerArch-to-Leg

80 - OuterArch-to-Leg

----- InnerLeg

)- OuterLeg

60 1

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

lime (Days)

Figure 21 Temperature Profile for a) Single and b) Double U-Bend Specimens at 176 °C

[350 OF] Subjected to the Salt Spray Test

28
4 SALT FOG TESTING RESULTS

In this section, results of the U-bend testing using the salt fog test protocol, described in

Section 2.1.4, are presented. The results include data for the 304, 304L, and 316L stainless

steel single, double, and welded U-bend specimens evaluated at 4, 16, 32, and 52 weeks after

test initiation. During the first week of testing, the U-bend target temperatures were set to 43,

95, and 135 0C [109, 203, and 275 OF]. As mentioned earlier, the large thermal mass of the

specimens placed inside the chamber did not allow the relative humidity to increase above the

target value of 70 percent for the simulated sea salt to deliquesce. Therefore, the temperature

of the 95 and 135 0C [203 and 275 OF] specimens was slightly modified to 85 and 120 0C

[185 and 248 OF]. This temperature change was not expected to produce significant differences

in the SCC behavior compared with the previous temperature targets. During the entire

exposure time, the temperatures of all the 85 and 120 0C [185 and 248 'F] specimens were

constant. The temperature of all the 43 0C [109 OF] specimens were also constant during the

cycles 1 to 10 and 12 (fogging, ambient, increase humidity, and dry cycles), and increased to

48 0C [118 OF] for a few minutes during the cycle 11 (high humidity cycle) due to an increase in

chamber temperature.

Initial optical examination at a 50OX magnification did not reveal the presence of cracks in all the

specimens before exposure. For the 4-week exposure, the 43, 85, and 120 0C [109, 185, and

248 OF] specimens were taken from heaters 10 and 11, 1 and 2, and 13 and 14, respectively.

For the 16-week exposure, the 43, 85, and 120 0C [109, 185, and 248 OF] specimens were

taken from heaters 11 and 12, 2 and 3, and 14 and 15, respectively. For the 32-week exposure,

the 43, 85, and 120 0C [109, 185, and 248 OF] specimens were taken from heaters 16 and 17, 4

and 5, and 7 and 8, respectively. For the 52 weeks of exposure, the 43, 85, and 120 0C

[109, 185, and 248 OF] specimens were taken from heaters 17 and 18, 5 and 6, and 8 and 9,

respectively. A total of 72 U-bend specimens were removed at each exposure period. After

removal of the U-bend specimens from the atmospheric chamber at each exposure time, the

corresponding heaters were not turned off so that the internal temperature, absolute humidity,

and relative humidity trends remained nearly constant throughout the test exposure.

Figure 22 shows typical temperature, relative humidity, and absolute humidity trends of the bulk

environment inside the chamber as a function of time for two consecutive full cycles as shown in

Table 3. The trends are characterized by four transient sharp peaks in the relative and absolute

humidity values spaced each other about 1 hr, consistent with the occurrence of the four fog

cycles in Table 3. During that period, the relative humidity varied from 35 percent to 60 percent

and the absolute humidity from 15 g/m 3 [5.42 10.7 lb/in3

] to 28 g/m 3 [1.01 10-6 lb/in 3

]. Also during

that period, the temperature in the chamber gradually increased from 35 0C [95 OF] to 43 0C

[109 OF]. Afterwards, both the relative and absolute humidity values decreased to 22 percent

and 8 g/m 3 [2.89 10-7 lb/in 3], respectively, in agreement with the occurrence of the dry cycle.

Following the low humidity cycle, a two-fold increase in relative and absolute humidity took

place, reaching 75 percent and 60-65 g/m 3 [2.16-2.35 10-6 lb/in 3], respectively. The temperature

in the chamber during the high humidity cycle also increased temporarily to 52 0C [126 OF] for a

29
few minutes. Afterwards, the temperature, relative and absolute humidity values decreased to

35 0C [95 'F], 22 percent, and 8 g/m 3 [2.89 10-7 lb/in 3], respectively, during the last dry cycle of

the protocol.

As in the salt spray test, the presence of a temperature gradient between the arch and the legs

of the U-bend specimens during the salt fog test was likely. However, because the large

temperature drop does not occur during the salt fog cycles (as explained in Section 3.4), the

temperature gradient was not expected to affect the development of SCC. This expectation was

confirmed by the fact that any cracking observed during the salt fog tests occurred at the

specimen apex (where residual stresses are highest) and not in the apex-to-leg transition region

as in the higher temperature salt spray tests.

7,

(0 E

SE

(D

85

75

65

55

45

35

25

15

5

-Relative Humidity

-Absolute Humidity

-Temperature

90

80

70

-a3

CD

60 @

50 )

40

4 30

4

8

8 0

1

12

Time (hr)

16 20 24

Figure 22 Chamber Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Absolute Humidity Trends as

a Function of Time for Two Consecutive Full Cycles Recorded During the

Salt Fog Test

4.1 U-Bend Specimens Held At 43 °C [109 °F]

4.1.1 Results of the 4-Week Exposure Time

The surface of all the U-bend specimens exposed to 43 0C [109 'F] for 4 weeks showed a

combination of a thin salt layer as well as formation of corrosion products. Salt deposits were

mostly found at the apex curvature of the bend. The 304 and 304L, welded and unwelded,

single and double U-bend specimens exhibited accelerated damage in the form of large pits and

30
general corrosion at the apex curvature of the bend, particularly within the weld and heataffected zone in the welded specimens. The 316L single and double weld and unwelded

U-bend specimens showed less corrosion deposits than the 304 and 304L specimens did, but

pitting corrosion was noted at the heat-affected zone and none at the weld area. For all the

single U-bend specimens, the presence of isolated small pits (and edge corrosion for the 304

and 304L specimens) were more noticeable at the bent apex curvature area. For all the double

U-bend specimens, corrosion was more prominent in the outer specimen compared to the inner

specimen, which showed only corrosion at the edges. After exposure, most of the corrosion

products and deposited salt were removed during cleaning. After cleaning, optical examination

at 10OX magnification showed the presence of small and tight cracks (<3 pm wide) in one

unwelded 304 and 304L single and double U-bend specimens. On the contrary, optical

examination of all the 316L U-bends showed no apparent cracks. Pictures of the typical surface

appearance of the 43 0C [109 'F] U-bend specimens inside the atmospheric chamber after

4 weeks of exposure are shown in Figure 23.

Figure 23 Pictures of Selected 43 °C [109 °F] 304 and 304L Weld U-Bend Specimens

and an Overall Photograph of all the 43 °C [109 'F] Specimens Mounted on

the Heaters 16, 17, and 18 in the Environmental Chamber After 4 Weeks of

Exposure. The Specimen Arrangement in Each Heater is Shown in Figure 9

4.1.2 Results of the 16-Week Exposure Time

After 16 weeks of exposure, all U-bend specimens exposed to 43 'C [109 'F] showed an

increase buildup of corrosion products compared to those examined at 4 weeks of exposure.

Signs of corrosion damage were noted in most of the specimens at the U-bend legs as well as

at the crevice between the U-bend and the ceramic shoulder washers. For the double

specimens, crevice corrosion developed at the U-bend legs between the inner and outer

specimens. Interestingly, the surface appearance of a few 304 and 304L unwelded single

U-bend specimens featured corrosion in the form of small striations across the specimen width

(Figure 24a). No striation marks were recorded for any of the 316L specimens. To investigate

such corrosion features and the presence of cracking, a 304 and 304L single U-bend specimen,

which were scheduled to be examined later, were removed from heater 16. Interestingly, none

of the 316L specimens showed the presence of cracks.

31
(a) (b) (c)

Figure 24 Pictures of (a) a 43 °C [109 °F] 304L U-Bend Specimen Showing Corrosion

Product and Striation Marks on the Surface, (b) Corrosion Distress of the 304

Weld U-Bend Specimens, and (c) a 304 Double U-Bend Specimen After

16 Weeks of Exposure

Optical examinations of all the 304 and 304L specimens at 5OX magnification revealed the

presence of cracks with crack openings roughly of 3 to 5 pm wide. This damage was not

discernable at lower magnifications. Extensive cracking was also noted on the double 304

U-bend specimens near the bend apex at the interface between the inner and outer U-bends.

To better characterize the type of cracking in the 304 and 304L U-bend specimens, selected

single U-bends were cross-sectioned, and the area directly exposed to the environment was

polished down to a 1 pm surface finish and electrolytically etched using an oxalic acid with

hydrochloric acid solution. Figure 25 shows the cross section appearance at the specimen arch

of the 304 and 304L single U-bends. The results showed that cracking was mainly

transgranular, but there were regions where the cracks transitioned to intergranular with crack

branching, consistent with previous results found for SCC of austenitic stainless steel in chloride

environments.

32
% I

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Figure 25 Pictures of SCC Observed Near the Outer Surface at the Specimen Arch:

(a and b) a 304 Single U-Bend Specimen and (c and d) a 304L Single U-Bend

Specimen. Both Samples Were Exposed to 43 °C [109 OF] for 16 Weeks of

Exposure

4.1.3 Results of the 32-Week Exposure Time

For the 32-week exposure, all the single and double welded U-bend specimens showed

increasing buildup of corrosion deposits and pit density when compared to previous exposure

periods. During this period, cracks were visible by the naked eye on some of the 304 and 304L

single U-bend specimens after cleaning (Figures 26 and 27). On the other hand, for the 316L

single and double U-bend specimens, optical examination revealed the presence of small

cracks (Figure 28). As mentioned earlier, cracking events took place at the apex of curvature

around the heat-affected zone for the weld specimens. For all the welded specimens, no

cracking was observed in the weld area. For the double specimens, corrosion damage and

cracking was more prominent in the outer specimen. SCC in the inner specimen was limited

around the edge of the specimen.

To assess the severity of the cracks, selected 304, 304L, and 316L welded and unwelded single

U-bend specimens were chosen for microstructure evaluation. The specimens were

transversely cut at the bend area and cut again in the longitudinal direction to expose fresh

cross section area (Figure 29). Then, the cut samples were mounted in an epoxy, polished to a

33
600-grit surface finish, and optically examined at a 50X magnification or higher.

Figures 30 to 33 show that in all cases the cracks propagated from the outside diameter

inwards, covering in some cases the entire specimen thickness. The cracking density was

noticeably larger than in previous exposure periods suggesting that the environment was

aggressive enough to promote (and propagate) the formation of SCC. As mentioned earlier,

cracking appears to be a mixed mode of transgranular and intergranular cracking for all cases,

having characteristic branching. However, cracks in the 316L specimens appeared to be much

narrower compared to the type 304 and 304L cracks.

Figure 26 Pictures of a Cleaned 304 Stainless Steel U-Bend Specimen Exposed for

32 Weeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF]

Figure 27 Pictures of a Cleaned 304L Stainless Steel U-Bend Specimen Exposed for

32 Weeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF]

34
i -, - ,. -'

- ~ -~ ~-~A ~:

(a) (b)

Figure 28 Stereomicroscopic Images of a 316L Stainless Steel: (a) Single and

(b) Welded U-Bend Specimens

Figure 29 Pictures of Cut Stainless Steel U-Bend Specimens for Microstructure

Evaluation

35
Figure 30 Stereomicroscopic Image of the Cut 304L Weld U-Bend

Figure 31 Stereomicroscopic Image of a Cleaned 316L Weld U-Bend Exposed for

32 Weeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 °F]

36
Figure 32 Stereomicroscopic Image of a Cleaned 304L Weld U-Bend Exposed for

32 Weeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF]

Figure 33 Stereomicroscopic Image of a Cleaned 304 Unwelded Single U-Bend

Exposed for 32 Weeks at a Temperature of 43 °C [109 OF]

37
4.1.4 Results of the 52-Week Exposure Time

After 52 weeks of exposure, all the remaining 43 °C [109 °F] U-bend specimens were taken out

of the chamber and photographed. Visual observations of the unwelded 304 and 304L

specimens denoted the presence of striation marks on the outer surface near the bend apex in

the direction of crack propagation (Figure 34). These striation marks can be associated with

crack formation and propagation, although further testing is needed to confirm this scenario. In

all cases, the striation marks were covered by corrosion products. The striation marks

propagated through the entire width for the unwelded 304L specimens, and extended a few

millimeters from the specimen edge for the unwelded 304 specimens.

No striation marks were observed for any of the 316L specimens. Corrosion was more

prominent in the 304 and 304L materials throughout the apex curvature and to a lesser extent at

the specimen legs. The 316L alloy exhibited the least corrosion distress for all the specimen

arrangements. Figure 34 shows the typical appearance of the surface of selected single

unwelded U-bend specimens. No additional surface or metallographic analyses were carried

out since extensive cracking was recorded in all the specimens during the previous specimen

exposure period.

Striations316L 304 304L

Figure 34 Typical Surface Appearances of Unwelded Single U-Bend Specimens

Exposed for 52 Weeks at 43 °C [109 °F]. Striation Marks on the Outer Surface

of the 304 and 304L Unwelded Specimens are Indicated

4.2 U-Bend Specimens Held At 85 °C [185 0F] and 120 °C [248 °F]

As can be seen in Figures 35 to 37, all the U-bend specimens exposed to 85 and 120 °C

[185 and 248 'F] were covered with a layer of salt deposits. The amount of salt deposited was

greatest at the apex of the bend than elsewhere. Visual observations of all the specimens at

both temperatures showed that the salt deposits remained dry throughout the exposure time

38
with no apparent salt deliquescence, even at the high relative humidity values recorded in the

chamber. During cleaning, salt deposits were easily washed out from the specimen surface.

After 32 weeks of exposure, visual observations of the weld specimens exposed to 85 'C

[185 OF] identified the presence of corrosion deposits extending throughout the heat-affected

zone. After cleaning, optical examinations revealed evidence of a few isolated pits in a few

welded specimens, as illustrated in Figure 38. The pits appeared to be very superficial and

located around the specimen within the heat-affected zone. None of the welded and unwelded

specimens held at 120 'C [248 'F] exhibited corrosion deposits or pits throughout the entire

exposure time. Optical examination at a 50OX magnification did not reveal the presence of

cracks in all the specimens held at 85 and 120 'C [185 and 248 OF] through the exposure period

of 52 weeks.

(a) (b)

Figure 35 Pictures of the U-Bend Specimens Exposed to (a) 120 °C [248 °F] and

(b) 85 °C [185 'F] for 52 Weeks of Exposure

(a) (b)

Figure 36 Pictures of the U-Bend Specimens Exposed to (a) 120 °C [248 *F] and

(b) 85 °C [185 *F] for 4 Weeks

39
(a) (b)

Figure 37 Pictures of the U-Bend Specimens (a) 120 °C [248 0F] and (b) 85 °C [185 *F]

Before Removal from the Environmental Chamber After 52 Weeks

Weld Weld

Heat-affece Heat-affected

zone Piszone

(a) (b)

Figure 38 Optical Examinations of the Weld/Heat-Affected Zone of (a) a 304 U-Bend

Specimen and b) a 316L U-Bend Specimen. Both Specimens Were Exposed

to 85 °C [185 OF] for 32 Weeks

4.3 Salt Chemical Composition and Deposition Rates

Tables 5 to 8 summarize the chemical analyses carried out on a fraction of the deposited salt

collected from the surface of randomly selected 85 and 120 0C [185 and 248 OF] U-bends 3

exposed to the salt fog test for 16 weeks. Tables 5 and 6 give the total concentration of anions

and cations present in the deposited salt on the 85 and 120 0C [185 and 248 OF] specimens,

respectively. The results showed that the species concentrations for the salts from both

3 While salt was visible on the 43 °C [109 OF] U-bends, the significant amounts of corrosion products

accumulated on those specimens contaminated the salt extracted so no chemical analyses were

conducted.

40
specimen temperatures were comparable, and that the major constituents were sodium and

chloride, making up roughly 68 percent of the simulated sea salt by weight. Moderate

concentrations of sulfate, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, and potassium and traces of bromide

were also measured for both salts. Tables 7 and 8 show the anion and cations concentrations

normalized with respect to the chloride and sodium concentrations, respectively. The results

showed that the composition for both the deposited salt and the bulk ASTM sea salt are

comparable.

Table 5 Chemical Analyses of a Salt Portion Collected from the Surface of Selected

85 °C [185 OF] U-Bend Specimens

Chemical Species Concentration

Chloride 0.013 mol/L [469 mg/L]

Sulfate 7.53 10-4 mol/L [72.3 mg/L]

Bromide 2.44 10-5 mol/L [2.32 mg/L]

Sodium 297,000 mg/Kg [4.75 oz/lb]

Magnesium 39,300 mg/Kg [0.63 oz/lb]

Sulfur 26,900 mg/Kg [0.43 oz/lb]

Calcium 13,500 mg/Kg [0.22 oz/lb]

Potassium 11,700 mg/Kg [0.19 oz/lb]

Table 6 Chemical Analyses of a Salt Portion Collected from the Surface of Selected

120 'C [248 OF] U-Bend Specimens

Chemical Species Concentration

Chloride 0.013 mol/L [467 mg/L]

Sulfate 7.60 10-4 mol/L [73.0 mg/L]

Bromide 1.75 10-5 mol/L [1.66 mg/L]

Sodium 303,000 mg/Kg [4.85 oz/lb]

Magnesium 39,500 mg/Kg [0.63 oz/lb]

Sulfur 26,900 mg/Kg [0.43 oz/lb]

Calcium 13,800 mg/Kg [0.22 oz/lb]

Potassium 11,900 mg/Kg [0.19 oz/Ib]

Table 7 Ratio of Anion Concentration to Chloride Concentration of the Deposited Salt

and the Bulk ASTM Sea Salt

Samples Chloride/Chloride Sulfate/Chloride Bromide/ Chloride

Bulk ASTM Sea Salt 1 0.1579 0.0039

Salt on 85 °C [185 OF] 1 0.1542 0.0049

U-bends

Salt on 120 °C [248 OF] 1 0.1563 0.0036

U-bends I I II

41
Table 8 Ratio of Cation Concentration to Sodium Concentration of the Deposited Salt

and the Bulk ASTM Sea Salt

Samples Sodium/ Magnesium/ Sulfur/ Calcium/ Potassium/

Sodium Sodium Sodium Sodium Sodium

Bulk ASTM Sea Salt 1 0.1282 0.0892 0.0405 0.0384

Salt on 85 0C [185 OF] 1 0.1323 0.0906 0.0455 0.0394

U-bends

Salt on 120 0C [185 OF] 1 0.1304 0.0888 0.0455 0.0393

U-bends I I I

The weight change and the computed salt deposition rates obtained from duplicate flat

specimens during the 2-week salt deposition phase of the salt fog test are shown in Table 9.

For the 43 0C [109 OF] specimens, a fraction of the weight change was associated with the

formation of corrosion products present throughout the specimen surface so the salt deposition

rate computations were not solely represented by salt deposits.

Table 9 Salt Deposit Results for the Flat Specimens After a 2-Week Exposure

Salt Deposition Rate, mg m"2 day"

Temperature, °C [IF] Salt Weight, mg [oz] [oz ft2 day1 ]

58.3 [2.06 10-1] 3,225* [1.06 10-2] 43 [109] 57.6 [2.03 10-3] 3,190* [1.05 10.2]

36.0 [1.27 10-3] 1,990 [6.52 10-3] 36.3 [1.28 10-3] 2,010 [6.59 10-3]

34.6 [1.22 10-3] 1,915 [6.28 10-3] 1 [ 35.8 [1.26 10-3] 1,980 [6.49 10-3]

The specimen area was assumed to be 0.0013 m2 [0.014 ft2], based on a single side 5 by 2.5 cm [2 by 1 in]

specimen.

* Salt deposition rate computed based on a mixture of deposited salt and corrosion product buildup.

The salt weights and salt deposition rates of the half U-bend samples as a function of time are

summarized in Table 10. The deposits on the 43 0C [109 OF] samples consisted mainly of

corrosion products so that neither the salt weights nor the salt deposition rates are related only

to salt deposition. Conversely, the salt deposition rates of the 85 and 120 0C [185 and 248 OF]

samples are expected to be accurate since the weight changes were purely related to salt

deposits.

Visual observations of the specimen surface and weight change measurements showed that the

deposited salt accumulated over time except for the 120 0C [248 OF] samples exposed to

32 weeks of exposure, which showed a decrease in the amount of accumulated salt. For this

case, the decrease in the salt deposit weights can be related to a momentary internal

condensation in the chamber, which originated the formation of water droplets that later dripped

on the samples, partially removing the salt deposited on those samples. This experimental

artifact was corrected such that salt deposition for the 120 'C [248 OF] samples increased again

up to the 52-week exposure time. Although this undesired experimental artifact did not allow

42
the salt deposition rate to be accurately computed for the 120 0C [248 OF] temperature, the

condensation did not cause SCC or corrosion damage in the 120 0C [248 OF] samples.

Figure 39 shows the computed salt deposition rates as a function of exposure time. The results

showed that the salt deposition rates were largest (>2,000 mg m-2 day1 ) [>6.55 10-3 oz ft-2 day-1 ]

during the first phase of the salt fog test followed by a sharp decrease during the second phase

of the salt fog test, reaching terminal values in the order of 200 mg m-2 day-

[6.55 10-4 oz ft 2 day"] after 112 days. The terminal salt deposition rates are consistent with the

measured atmospheric salt deposition rates in the field, recorded at a distance of 100 m [328 ftj

from the ocean (Feliu et al., 1999).

Table 10 Salt Deposit Results for the Half U-Bend Samples During the Salt Fog Test

Salt Weight, mg

Temperature, °C [OF] t=28 days t=112 days t=224 days t=364 days

(4 weeks) (16 weeks) (32 weeks) (52 weeks)

43 [109] 67.4011" 105.8200* 188.1100* NA

85 [185] 35.9671 45.1100 87.0480 115.4595

120 [248] 45.8406 92.1700 56.5201 89.6675

I ne specimen area was assumed to be U.UU13 m [U.U14 it- based on * Weight change was mainly due to corrosion product formation a single side 5 Dy 2.5 cm [2 Dy 1 inJ specimen.

3,500

3,000

-q

2,500

E

Q 2,000

1,500 2

0

0- 1,000

500

0

0 100 200 300 400

Exposure Time (Days)

Figure 39 Salt Deposition Rates as a Function of Time for the Half U-Bend Samples

Exposed to the Salt Fog. Due to the Condensation Issue Inside the Chamber,

the Salt Deposition Rates for the 120 °C [248 'F] Samples are Inaccurate

Between 100 and 365 Days of Exposure

43
4.4 Discussion

The SCC results of the 52-week exposure to sea salt fog and the intermediate exposure periods

are shown in Figures 40 to 42 for all of the materials and temperatures examined. The results

showed that at or above roughly 85 0C [185 OF], the 304, 304L, and 316L austenitic stainless

steels did not develop SCC, despite the minor corrosion damage noted for the specimens held

at 85 0C [185 OF].

According to several research studies (Truman, 1977; Ford and Silverman, 1980), while higher

temperatures can typically lead to an increased probability of SCC, the results presented here

seem to be contradictory. This contradicting behavior can be explained by the deliquescent

nature of the deposited salt as a function of the specimen temperature (described in detail in

Section 5). Although the chamber relative humidity during the salt fog test temporarily reached

around 75 percent, at temperatures of the specimens higher than 85 0C [185 OF], the relative

humidity close to the heated specimen surface attained a maximum value of 18 percent. This

relative humidity value falls below the deliquescence point for both sodium and magnesium

chlorides present in the deposited salt. Thus, the salt deposited on the higher temperature

U-bend specimens did not deliquesce throughout the test exposure, preventing both SCC

initiation and formation of corrosion products. For the specimens maintained at 43 0C [109 OF],

however, the relative humidity near the specimen surface briefly reached -75 percent, which is

above the deliquescence point for sodium chloride. As a result, the salt deposited on the

specimens started to deliquesce, promoting SCC initiation as well as formation of corrosion

products.

~fl Open - No Cracking A - Single U-Bend

Solid - Cracking Double u-Bend

0 - Welded U-Bend

0

o/A A A A

120 El El El El

0 No SCC 0 0 0

(D zone

C. A A A A

E 85 El El El

I- 0 0 0 0

•"1A3 A(1/3) FSCC | A(3/3) (3/3) A

43 - / 0(1/3) E (3/3)I E (3/3) (3/3) E

o e 0 •(313) (313)0•

4 16 32 52

Exposure Time (Weeks)

Figure 40 SCC Susceptibility Map for the Type 304 Stainless Steel (Number in

Parenthesis States Number of Specimens Cracked/Total Number of

Specimens Tested)

44
W Open - No Cracking A - Single U-Bend 304L Solid - Cracking 0 - Welded U-Bend

oA A A A

a) 120 0 0 0 0

-No SCC

azone

A A A A

E 85- 0 0 0 0

1--

43 i(1/3) A(3I4) SCC A(2/2) (3/3) • / 0 0 (1/3) zone 0(3/3) (3/3)0

4 16 32 52

Exposure Time (Weeks)

Figure 41 SCC Susceptibility Map for the Type 304L Stainless Steel (Number in

Parenthesis States Number of Specimens Cracked/Total Number of

Specimens Tested)

Open - No Cracking A - Single U-Bend 316L Solid - Cracking -Double U-Bend

O - Welded U-Bend

0 o A A A A

a) 120 [] El El El

0 No SCC 0 0

azone

E 85 El 0 0 0 0

IA A /3) 3 3/3) A

43 El El (3/3) 3/3) E

0 0 (2/3 ) 3/3) *•

4 16 32 52

Exposure Time (Weeks)

Figure 42 SCC Susceptibility Map for the Type 316L Stainless Steel (Number in

Parenthesis States Number of Specimens Cracked/Total Number of

Specimens Tested)

Comparing the results in Figures 40 through 42, there is a perceptible difference in the SCC

susceptibility of the various material types tested. Both the 304 and 304L stainless steel

materials showed evidence of SCC at 4 weeks of exposure and SCC was more conspicuous as

exposure time increased. However, cracking of the 316L stainless steel did not occur until after

45
32 weeks of exposure. This suggests, as expected, that the composition of the material plays a

role in the SCC susceptibility.

Both welded and unwelded single and double 304, 304L, and 316L stainless steels exposed to

43 0C [109 OF] exhibited corrosion degradation, in the form of pits and macro corrosion to some

extent. This type of corrosion attack was more noticeable around the specimen apex curvature

where the weld for the welded specimens was located. Nevertheless, the dominant pit initiation,

crack formation and propagation mechanisms are unclear based on the information obtained

from this study. Literature information (Wranglen, 1974; Sudesh et al., 2007) suggests that pit

nucleation of unwelded stainless steels exposed to chloride containing solutions occurs mainly

at or near manganese sulfide and mixed oxide/sulfide inclusions present at the stainless steel

surface. The dominant pit nucleation mechanisms are attributed to the local decrease in pH

resulting from inclusion dissolution and chromium depletion surrounding the inclusions.

For the welded stainless steels, the most common and relevant factors affecting pit initiation are

related to the interdendritic attack in weld metal zone and sensitized grain boundaries in the

heat-affected zone, resulting in localized chromium dissolution of the passive layer. The

dissolution of chromium is typically greater at and around the heat-affected zone for the weld

specimens especially for the type 304 stainless steels where chromium carbides can precipitate

at the grain boundaries during welding by a process called sensitization (Tsai and Eagar, 1984).

This mechanism explains the accelerated corrosion damage at the heat-affected zone for the

weld specimens. It should be noted that the proposed scenario described above may not be

required for SCC or enhanced corrosion of weldments because brittle phase formation in the

heat-affected zone can also promote SCC as well as general and localized corrosion.

The evaluation of crevice corrosion on the double U-bend specimens showed that crevices did

not appear to be overly prejudicial as corrosion was limited to the specimen edges with minimal

corrosion degradation inside the crevice. This observation can be associated with the limited

access of salt deposited inside the crevice.

As mentioned earlier, cracking events and pitting corrosion recorded in all the 43 0C [109 OF]

specimens were concentrated within the arch area of the 304, 304L, and 316L specimens,

where the tensile stresses were greatest, and at the heat-affected zone for the welded

specimens. Visual examination results suggest that cracks started at or near the pits, where

residual stresses were also expected to be significant, and propagated through the specimen

cross section. This observation is consistent with previous studies (Szklarska-Smialowska and

Gust, 1979; Turnbull et al., 2009). In addition, microscopic evidence suggests that the cracking

events were mainly transgranular with sections of intergranular branching morphology, in

agreement with the results reported elsewhere (Garcia et al., 2008; Guerre et al., 2005).

An evaluation of the environment in the test chamber during the highest relative humidity cycle

was examined to understand the conditions that led to the SCC of the U-bend specimens. The

trends of relative humidity versus temperature for various absolute humidity values are shown in

46
Figure 43. This figure states that the salt deposited on the 43 0C [109 OF] specimens would

have absorbed moisture from the environment because the relative humidity increased above

both the magnesium chloride and the sodium chloride deliquescence threshold. As a result,

SCC was likely to initiate if the remaining conditions for SCC development were met. However,

no moisture would have been expected to absorb in the salt deposited on the 85 and 120 0C

[185 and 248 OF] U-bend specimens because the relative humidity around these salts was

always below the deliquescence point for both sodium chloride and magnesium chloride. As a

result, no SCC was noted in any of the specimens held at or above 85 0C [185 OF]. Even

though there was plenty of salt on the surface of these materials, the surrounding air was too

dry and did not allow for the deliquescence of salt, which is necessary for SCC to occur.

The work by Prosek et al. (2009) indicated that the 304 stainless steel did not crack in sodium

chloride at 40 00 [104 OF] and a relative humidity of 70, 50, or 30 percent after 10 weeks

exposure. This observation is likely related to the fact that each of the environmental conditions

tested by Prosek was constant throughout the exposure period and could have led to a partial

deliquescence of sodium chloride. As indicated in the work by Fairweather et al. (2008), a

substantial variation in SCC behavior can be observed with varying relative humidity in chloride

containing media at 60 °C [140 OF]. Usually, the there is a critical relative humidity

(-60 percent) that SCC is most severe. As can be seen in Figure 43, the 43 0C [109 OF] U-bend

specimens were cycled between a high and low relative humidity condition so that they were

repeatedly exposed to this critical SCC environment. While this humidity cycle in the

environmental chamber appeared to be extreme, it is similar to the diurnal weather variations in

relative humidity and temperature at many storage cask locations.

The results obtained from this investigation are likely to be conservative with respect to the

actual conditions observed in a dry storage cask placed inside a concrete bunker. The

environmental conditions inside the bunker are likely to be different from those outside the

bunker, even though natural ventilation is being employed. Secondly, the measured maximum

absolute humidity achieved during the salt fog test was -60 g/m 3 [-2.17 10-6 lb/in 3]. Reported

environmental data from around the U.S. coast suggests that the maximum absolute humidity

values are in the order of 30 g/m 3 [1.08 10.6 lb/in 3], (NOAA, 2010). With a lower absolute

humidity, the relative humidity near the specimens would have been lower and deliquescence of

the deposited salt may not have taken place. While these tests may have been conservative,

the results are important because they suggest that the deliquescence of dry deposited sea salt

can lead to SCC of austenitic stainless steels when the cask temperature is slightly above the

ambient temperature.

47
100

T>Tscc

RH>RHD-MgCI 2

90 *-0- 5 g/m3

--B 10 g/m3

80 -e- 15 g/m3

-A--20 g/m3

70 NaCI Deliquescence -X-25 g/m3

_--30 g/m3

-- 35 g/m3

& 60 -- 40 g/m3

--50 g/m3

-" -+-- 60 g/m3

5 T 70 g/m3

M-- 80 g/m3

*> 40 0 U-bends (low humidity)

.T 0 U-bends (high humidity)

30 MgCI2 Deliquescence

20

10

0

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Temperature (°C)

Figure 43 Evolution of the Relative Humidity as a Function of Temperature Computed

for Various Absolute Humidity Values. The Region Between the Red

(Maximum Humidity) and Blue (Minimum Humidity) Symbols Indicate the

Expected Environmental Conditions Near the U-Bend Surface in the Salt Fog

Test

4.5 Implications of the Results

As mentioned earlier, initiation of SCC requires three important criteria, including high enough

stresses, a susceptible material, and a detrimental environment. The laboratory testing

conducted in this investigation had all three requirements and demonstrated that SCC can

effectively occur within 32 weeks of exposure in 304, 304L, and 316L stainless steels (such as

those used for dry storage cask) maintained at temperatures around 43 CC [109 OF] and at an

absolute humidity of 60 g/m 3 [2.16 10-6 b/in 3]. Based on the results of this investigation,

estimation of the SCC acceleration factor used in the laboratory testing and its implications on

durability and SCC development to actual dry storage cask units in the field are difficult to

compute and requires various assumptions to be made, as described next.

48
One of these assumptions is related to the differences in the stress levels found on a dry

storage cask compared to those used in the U-bend samples. The U-bend samples have

typical stress levels in excess of the material yield stress, which is likely higher than those

observed for an actual dry storage cask. Therefore, to compare the laboratory tests to the field

conditions, it is necessary to assume that the dry storage cask material will behave similar to the

U-bend samples.

The second assumption relates to the environment surrounding the dry cask. The laboratory

U-bend samples had salt deposited cyclically on the surface during the entire test. For field

applications, it is not clear at this time whether salt can ingress the concrete vault through the

passive ventilation system and deposit on the outer cask metal surface. In addition to salt

reaching the dry storage cask, it is not well understood the amount of salt needed to initiate

SCC. On a first approximation, the SCC initiation processes will not likely start until enough salt

is present at the metal surface, which may take months to years depending upon the salt

deposition rate. Comparing the salt deposition rates between the laboratory test and

atmospheric environments, it can be concluded that for the first two weeks of exposure,

laboratory salt deposition rates are approximately equivalent to 5 to 18 months of accumulated

salt deposition (assuming a deposition rate of 200 to 50 mg m-2 day-1 , respectively, at a

distance of 100 m [328 ft] from the ocean). Actual deposition rates are dependent on a number

of factors, including wind velocity and direction, humidity, and topography.

The next unknown environmental parameter surrounding the dry cask is the absolute humidity.

As shown in the results of this work, the absolute humidity must be high enough so that the

relative humidity at the surface of the dry storage cask will lead to the deliquescence of the

deposited salt. In this investigation, the absolute humidity was temporarily increased to 60 g/m 3

[2.16 10-6 lb/in 3] in order to achieve the target relative humidity of 70 percent (necessary to

deliquesce sodium chloride). However, this absolute humidity value is not likely to be achieved

under normal atmospheric conditions. With a typical maximum absolute humidity of 30 g/m 3

[1.08 10.6 lb/in 3], deliquescence of sodium chloride could occur at temperatures below 36 0C [97

OF], which may be too low for SCC to initiate. However, as shown in the experimental tests, the

sea salt deposited on the surface of the samples contained magnesium chloride in addition to

sodium chloride. The deliquescence point of magnesium chloride is at a relative humidity of

roughly 30 percent, and magnesium chloride can induce SCC initiation in stainless steels.

Deliquescence of magnesium chloride in an environment with an absolute humidity of 30 g/m 3

[1.08 10-6 lb/in 3] can occur at temperatures up to 54 °C [129 OF], which is definitely in the range

of SCC to develop. With this understanding, the question remains as to what relative humidity

is necessary for SCC to occur with a deposited salt mixture of mainly sodium chloride, but with

some magnesium chloride. However, in order to compare the data of this test to actual field

conditions, it is necessary to make the conservative assumption that the relative humidity must

be over 30 percent for SCC development.

With all of these assumptions being made, the last issue that must be discussed is the actual

environment where the dry storage cask is placed. Reviewing the data from NOAA

49
(NOAA, 2010), it can be seen that not all locations along the coastline are the same. Moreover,

the environmental conditions vary from location to location. Secondly, there will also be a

seasonal variation in the environmental conditions. As demonstrated in this investigation, the

outer temperature of the dry storage cask will modify the relative humidity on the surface of the

dry storage cask, thereby affecting the deliquescence of the salt deposited on the surface. The

outer surface temperature of the dry cask storage will vary from cask to cask depending upon

the type of cask, used fuel, and operational history. Therefore, it is necessary to know the

environmental and cask conditions to determine how the experimental results will compare to

the dry cask storage in the field.

However, the laboratory and field data can be compared if the assumption is made that each

day the environment surrounding the dry storage cask follows one wet and dry cycle, i.e. the

relative humidity cycles around 30 percent. Under this situation, then the field condition can be

compared to the laboratory tests, which had four wet and dry cycles per day. Then, the time to

SCC initiation would be expected to be roughly between 32 and 128 weeks. However, this is

still a conservative estimation because it does not take into account the operating history of the

dry storage cask and the local environmental properties along with many other assumptions

previously discussed.

50
5 SCC COMPLEMENTARY TESTING

5.1 Half U-Bend Specimen Testing

Immediately after exposure periods of up to 2 months, visual observations identified salt

deliquescence for the salt-deposited half U-bend samples exposed to 65 0C [149 OF] and

70 percent relative humidity as shown in Figure 44. Concurrently, formation of corrosion

products and localized pitting corrosion around the arch outer diameter and near the sample

edges began to appear. Laser profilometry measurements (Figure 45) showed that pit depth

was roughly 380 pm [0.15 in], indicating that the localized corrosion rates were in the order of

4.5 mm/yr [0.180 in/yr]. 4 Similar observations were made for half U-bend samples with salt

deposits exposed to 50 0C [122 OF] and 65 percent relative humidity (Figure 43a). At 50 0C

[122 OF] and relative humidity values of 40 and 50 percent (Figures 44a and 45a), the saltdeposited samples showed a salt layer still present on the surface, in addition to corrosion in the

form of small isolated pits after a 2-month exposure. Interestingly, no SCC was noted in any of

the samples despite the favorable environmental conditions for SCC initiation.

Visual observations of the droplets of simulated sea salt and magnesium chloride placed on half

U-bend samples exposed to 50 0C [122 OF] and relative humidity values of 40, 50, and

65 percent showed formation of corrosion deposits and isolated pits after a 2-month exposure

(Figures 46 to 48). The samples with simulated sea salt droplets showed some degree of salt

crystallization, likely rich in sodium chloride. For the environmental conditions examined, it is

speculated that when the simulated sea salt deliquesced, sodium chloride precipitated out of the

solution and remained as crystals on the surface of the sample whereas the magnesium

chloride initially present in sea salt remained in solution, originating the formation of red rust

corrosion. All the samples with sodium chloride droplets showed similar formation of crystals

compared to the sea salt droplets, but in this case, the sample remained free of corrosion

deposits throughout the entire exposure time. Nevertheless, no SCC formation was recorded in

any of the samples with salt droplets.

4 The large localized corrosion rates measured in this study cannot be directly related to those in actual

casks since the environmental conditions used in the complimentary tests were held constant.

51
Before cleaning After cleaning

Figure 44 Typical Surface Appearance Observed for the 304 Stainless Steel Half

U-Bend Samples Subjected to 2-Month at 65 °C [149 OF] and 70 Percent

Relative Humidity

o

A CLaser Line Profile Data

400

400

300

2

2200

= 100

.4- 777 0

low m- ac 0 1000 2000

Length (Microns)

3000 4000

Figure 45 Laser Profilometer Data Evaluating Depth of Pitting on a 304 Stainless Steel

Half U-Bend Sample Exposed to 2-Month at 65 °C [149 OF] and 70 Percent

Relative Humidity

52
(a) (b) (C) ku)

Figure 46 Typical Surface Appearance (Before Cleaning) of the 304 Stainless Steel Half

U-Bends Exposed to 50 'C [122 OF] and 65 Percent Relative Humidity for

2 Months:(a) Initial Salt Deposits on the Surface During the Salt Fog Test,

(b) Simulated Sea Salt Droplets, (c) Sodium Chloride Droplets, and

(d) Magnesium Chloride Droplets IUl Itm

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 47 Typical Surface Appearance (Before Cleaning) of the 304 Stainless Steel Half

U-Bends Exposed to 50 'C [122 OF] and 40 Percent Relative Humidity for

2 Months:(a) Initial Salt Deposits on the Surface During the Salt Fog Test,

(b) Simulated Sea Salt Droplets, (c) Sodium Chloride Droplets, and

(d) Magnesium Chloride Droplets

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 48 Typical Surface Appearance (Before Cleaning) of the 304 Stainless Steel Half

U-Bends Exposed to 50 °C [122 OF] and 50 Percent Relative Humidity for

2 Months:(a) Initial Salt Deposits on the Surface During the Salt Fog Test,

(b) Simulated Sea Salt Droplets, (c) Sodium Chloride Droplets, and

(d) Magnesium Chloride Droplets

53
5.2 Salt Deliquescence and Efflorescence

Simulated sea salt, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and a sample of Corpus Christi salt

were placed in a humidity chamber at 50 0C [122 OF] (Figure 49). Visual examination revealed

that at 20 percent relative humidity, all four salts appeared dry. Once the relative humidity was

increased to 35 percent, the magnesium chloride salt deliquesced as expected. On the other

hand, the simulated sea salt and Corpus Christi salt appeared to absorb water from the

environment, causing a light darkening of the salts. Afterwards, no significant changes took

place until the relative humidity reached 75 percent, at which point the simulated sea salt,

Corpus Christi salt, and sodium chloride deliquesced.

The same test, repeated at 80 0C [176 OF] showed that when the relative humidity was held at

20 percent, all the salt samples were dry. Once the relative humidity increased to 30 percent,

the magnesium chloride sample deliquesced. Above 30 percent, the Corpus Christi salt and

simulated sea salt appeared to have adsorbed water, but both salts did not deliquesce until the

relative humidity reached 70 percent. However, the sodium chloride did not deliquesce until the

relative humidity increased to 75 percent. It appears that the increase in temperature may have

decreased the relative humidity necessary for deliquescence of the magnesium chloride

containing salts, consistent with the results reported in the literature (Racine, 2005).

54
(a)

( Pi I (I I

(e)

Figure 49 Deliquescence Experiments Conducted at 50 °C [122 IF] and Relative

Humidity of a) 20 Percent, b) 35 Percent, c) 45 Percent, d) 55 Percent,

e) 65 Percent, and f) 75 Percent. The Salt Sample Labels are: (A) Corpus

Christi Salt, (B) Simulated Sea Salt, (C) Sodium Chloride, and (D) Magnesium

Chloride

55
5.3 Environmental Temperature and Humidity Profiles

The results of the humidity/temperature measurements as a function of the distance from the

U-bend surface are shown in Figure 50. The results showed that the temperature recorded at

0.5 cm [0.20 in] from the U-bend surface varied from 47 to 53 °C [117 to 127 OF] for the U-bends

temperatures of 60 and 120 0C [140 and 248 OF], respectively. Between 0.5 cm [0.20 in] and

1.7 cm [0.67 in], the temperature for all the cases examined showed an abrupt drop to -37 0C

[-99 OF] and remained nearly constant afterwards reaching an apparent terminal value of

-35 0C [-95 OF], comparable to the chamber bulk temperature. The relative humidity recorded

at 0.5 cm [0.20 in] from the U-bend surface varied from 27 to 43 percent for the U-bends

temperatures of 60 and 120 0C [140 and 248 'F], respectively. Between 0.5 cm [0.20 in] and

1.7 cm [0.67 in], the relative humidity for all the cases increased rapidly, ranging from

75 percent (for the U-bends maintained at 120 0C [248 OF]) to 88 percent (for the U-bends

maintained at 60 0C [140 OF]). Afterwards, the relative humidity showed a gradual increase,

reaching values of 82 percent to 95 percent at 5.5 cm [2.16 in] from the U-bend surface. If the

relative humidity line were linearly projected to the surface of the U-bend, the relative humidity

would be less than 30 percent for all cases, which is near the deliquescence threshold for

magnesium chloride. On the other hand, the absolute humidity does not seem to vary

significantly with distance for the U-bend surface and drops only a few g/m 3 closer to the heated

U-bends.

100 60 -4-60 'C Relative

Chamber Rqlative Humidity Humidity

- - -I - - - - - -- - -79 0 *CRelative E 90 - 55 Humidity

8- 80 °C Relative

-' 85 -50 Humidity

, -*- 94 'C Relative

E 80 Humidity

75 - 45 -A&- 120 'C Relative

Humidity

S 70 - 40 C --- 60 'CAbsolute 3 Humidity 65

0hm e u " -)K- 70 'C Absolute CD Humidity

0- 55Humidity 80 °C Absolute

Chamber Temperature -30 -A +94 'C Absolute

.• 5 (0 Humidity

45 25 -4-a-12'CAslt

E ChamberAbsolute Humidity Humidity 4C0 --- 60 

) 35 20-62 > 0--70 'C 30 -• -15

(D 25 -4-80 oC

20 10 --- 94 oC

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 -U120 c

Distance from surface (cm)

Figure 50 Temperature, Absolute Humidity, and Relative Humidity Profiles as a

Function of Distance from the U-Bend Samples Heated at Different

Temperatures

56
5.4 Discussion

Experimental observations showed that no SCC initiated on the half U-bend samples,

suggesting that tensile stress levels acting on the samples were not sufficient to promote SCC

compared to the full U-bend specimens tested under constant strain. One potential explanation

of this observation is that once the metal was stressed during bending, the lack of stressing

elements in the half U-bend sample to supply a constant level of strain could have caused

substantial residual stress relaxation throughout the metal surface right after bending. This

large stress relaxation would ultimately lower the residual stresses in the metal, reducing the

probability of SCC development even though the environmental conditions were favorable for

SCC initiation.

While the results from the half U-bend samples cannot be used as an indicator for stress

corrosion cracking, the half U-bend results are useful in understanding the wetting conditions

that could lead to SCC. As indicated above, the half U-bend samples that were held at 50 °C

[122 OF] and a relative humidity of 45 percent showed pitting, for all samples except the ones

exposed to sodium chloride. This indicates that even though the simulated sea salt mainly

consists of sodium chloride, the amount of magnesium chloride in the salt is enough to allow the

formation of a chloride solution at 45 percent relative humidity, which is well below the

deliquescence point of sodium chloride but above the deliquescence point of magnesium

chloride. Therefore, the presence of magnesium chloride in the salt is an important aspect to

consider in the deliquescence of sea salt and the initiation and propagation of pitting corrosion

and stress corrosion cracking.

As indicated in Figure 50, temperature, relative humidity, and absolute humidity vary with the

distance measured from a heated metal. The results obtained in this study showed that the

absolute humidity was nearly constant with distance. However, the temperature and relative

humidity are strongly dependent on the distance from the heated surface. Experimental

observations denoted that the temperature would increase sharply while the relative humidity

will drop upon approaching the surface of the heated metal. At 60 to 120 0C [140 to 248 OF], the

relative humidity deceased from a bulk value of 95 percent down to approximately 30 percent at

the metal surface, when the bulk temperature was held at 35 0C [95 OF]. A relative humidity

value of 30 percent is close to the deliquescence point for magnesium chloride. This suggests

that for increasing canister temperatures, relative humidity values will decrease and the

environmental conditions necessary for SCC would not occur. This is consistent with the results

of the salt fog experiments for which observed salt deposits formed on the surface of the 85 and

120 0C [185 and 248 OF] U-bend specimens.

57

6 CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this investigation are as follows:

* During phase I testing, cyclic simulated sea salt solution was directly sprayed on welded and

unwelded U-bend specimens made of 304, 304L, and 316L stainless steels at 25, 93, and

176 0C [77, 200, 350 OF]. Within 2 months of exposure, no cracking was recorded in any of

the 25 CC [77 OF] specimens. On the contrary, all the 93 and 176 0C [200 and 350 OF]

specimens produced extensive cracking and corrosion degradation primarily, along the leg

and arch-to-leg transition of the U-bends. At these elevated temperatures, the water

present in the simulated sea salt was expected to have boiled quickly from the specimen

surface, leaving behind a dry salt, and thus, preventing SCC formation. However, a

significant decrease in temperature during the spray cycle in addition to a temperature

gradient between the legs and arch of the U-bends, promoted accelerated SCC and

corrosion damage. As a result, the salt spray test does not accurately indicate SCC

susceptibility at these higher temperatures.

* The 43 0C [109 OF] 304 and 304L stainless steels exposed to the salt fog showed evidence

of transgranular and intergranular cracking 4 weeks after exposure. Cracking of the 316L

stainless steel did not occur until after 32 weeks of exposure. This suggests, as expected,

that composition of the alloy plays a role in the SCC susceptibility. However, there are only

marginal compositional differences between the 316L and 304 stainless steels. For all

alloys, cracking events became more conspicuous as time progressed, and were

concentrated within the arch of the U-bends, where pits and general corrosion were also

noticeable. Cracking initiated at or near the pits (where residual stresses were also

expected to be significant) and propagated through the specimen cross section. Corrosion

of the double U-bend specimens was limited to the specimen edges and outer surface and

minimal corrosion degradation was observed inside the crevice. This lack of corrosion

damage could have resulted from a decrease in salt penetration and deposition inside the

crevice. Therefore, the crevices did not appear to preferentially foster corrosion.

* The 85 and 120 'C [185 and 248 OF] 304, 304L, and 316L U-bend specimens exposed to a

salt fog showed no SCC formation, consistent with the inability of salt deposited on the

specimen surface to deliquesce, even at the high relative humidity values recorded in the

chamber. After 32 weeks of exposure, visual observations of the weld specimens exposed

to 85 °C [185 OF] indicated the presence of corrosion deposits extending throughout the

heat-affected zone in a few specimens. After cleaning, optical examinations showed

evidence of a few isolated pits associated with these deposits. The pits appeared to be very

superficial and located around the specimen at the heat-affected zone of the weld

specimens. The unwelded 85 'C [185 OF] specimens did not exhibit corrosion deposits or

pitting. Additionally, none of the specimens held at 120 0C [248 OF] exhibited corrosion

deposits or pits throughout the entire exposure time.

59
" It is speculated that pits in the welded specimens at 85 'C [185 'F] may have developed

because of the localized chromium dissolution in the passive layer, which originated weak

sites at the metal grain boundary. The dissolution of chromium is typically greater within the

heat-affected zone for the weld specimens, especially for the 304 stainless steels, where

chromium carbides can precipitate at the grain boundaries during welding. It should be

noted that the above mechanism may not be required for SCC or enhanced corrosion of

weldments because brittle phase formation in the heat-affected zone can also promote SCC

as well as general and localized corrosion.

" The salt fog test is likely conservative because of the high absolute humidity used for the

test with respect to the actual conditions observed in a dry storage cask. However, the

results are still pertinent because they demonstrate that the .deliquescence of dry deposited

sea salt can lead to SCC of austenitic stainless steels at temperatures that are only slightly

greater than ambient temperatures.

* The estimation of the SCC acceleration factor used in the laboratory testing and its

implications on SCC development in actual dry storage cask units in the field are difficult to

compute. Under the assumptions presented in this report, the time to SCC initiation is

between 32 and 128 weeks for salt deposition-geometries that are largely similar to the

laboratory testing. This is a rough estimate because it does not take into account the

operating history of the dry storage cask and the local environmental conditions at a

particular cask location.

60
7 RECOMMENDATIONS

The results of this investigation indicates that SCC may be observed on austenitic stainless

steel canisters used in dry storage systems if certain environmental/material condition

combinations are met. To that end, it is important to assess precisely the effect of the service

environment on SCC. Understanding the relative humidity and temperature conditions that fall

between the deliquescence and efflorescence regions is especially important. This assessment

will determine if complete or partial salt deliquescence is required to develop SCC within the

service environment.

It is also important to determine salt deposition rates on the stainless steel canisters used in dry

storage systems in the field. To accomplish this, it will be necessary to survey environmental

conditions around the U.S. to determine critical factors affecting salt precipitation and identify

areas of the country more susceptible to atmospheric chloride SCC. One way that this survey

can be accomplished is by deploying austenitic stainless steel samples in the field and

monitoring SCC development.

In order to more completely evaluate the SCC susceptibility of the stainless steel canisters in

actual dry storage systems, a mock-up lab-scale canister prototype containing a heated

stressed stainless steel pipe could be used. The mock-up would be instrumented with

thermocouples and relative humidity sensors to measure actual conditions inside the dry

storage system mock-up. In addition, the mock-up would be instrumented with wetness sensors

to determine if salt can deposit and deliquesce at various surface temperatures. The canister

mock-up would be exposed to atmospheric conditions obtained from the survey. A

computational fluid dynamics modeling would be used to properly scale the mock-up with

respect to dry storage system environmental conditions.

61

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66
NRC FORM 335 U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 1. REPORT NUMBER

(2-89) (Assigned by NRC. Add Vol., Supp., Rev.,

NRCM 1102, and Addendum Numbers, if any.)

3201, 3202 BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET

(See instructions on the reverse)

2. TITLE AND SUBTITLE NUREG/CR-7030

Atmospheric Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility of Welded and

Unwelded 304, 304L, and 316L Austenitic Stainless Steels Commonly 3. DATE REPORT PUBLISHED

Used for Dry Cask Storage Containers Exposed to Marine Environments MONTH YEAR

October 2010

4. FIN OR GRANT NUMBER

N6195

5. AUTHOR(S) 6. TYPE OF REPORT

Leonardo Caseres & Todd S. Mintz Technical

7. PERIOD COVERED (Inclusive Dates)

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION - NAME AND ADDRESS (If NRC, provide Division, Office or Region, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and mailing address; if

contractor, provide name and mailing address.)

Southwest Research Institute

6220 Culebra Road, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78238-5166

9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION - NAME AND ADDRESS (If NRC, type "Same as above": if contractor, provide NRC Division, Office or Region, U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission, and mailing address.)

Division of Engineering

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Washington, DC 20555-0001

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Mekonen M. Bayssie, NRC Project Manager

11. ABSTRACT (200 words or less)

This report documents information on the susceptibility to atmospheric stress corrosion cracking of welded and unwelded 304, 304L, and 316L austenitic stainless

steels commonly used for dry storage containers exposed to marine environments. Standard U-bend specimens were exposed to both salt spray and salt fog

conditions at temperatures ranging from 25 to 176 'C [77 to 350 "F] and varying relative humidity. The first test conducted was a salt spray test to scope out

material and residual stress effects. This deliberately conservative test resulted in extensive cracking and corrosion as was observed in all the 93 and 176 'C [200

and 350 'F] U-bends in as early as I month after exposure. Salt spray tests are non-prototypical since deposition of salt on dry casks is in the form of a dry

aerosol; hence, the first test was not suitable for evaluation of stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steels in coastal atmospheres. The

second test conducted, the salt fog test, was expected to closely simulate field conditions around dry cask containers, and resulted in stress corrosion cracking and

pitting corrosion in all the 43 "C [109 "F] specimens. Corrosion developed after 4 weeks in the 304 and 304L specimens, and after 32 weeks in the 316L

specimen. This suggests that the alloy composition plays a role in stress corrosion cracking susceptibility. Cracking was mainly transgranular with sections of

intergranular branching. Cracks were concentrated within the arch region in all unwelded U-bends and at the heat-affected zone of the welded specimens, as

previously reported in the literature. None of the 85 and 120 "C [185 and 248 'F] specimens exposed to the salt fog test exhibited stress corrosion cracking; the

data are consistent with the inability of salt deposits to deliquesce at high temperatures.

12. KEY WORDS/DESCRIPTORS (List words or phrases that will assist researchers in locating this report.) 13. AVAILABILITY STATEMENT ___Unlimited

Dry cask 14. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

SCC (This Page)

deliquescence Unclassified

salt fog (This Report)

U-bend Unclassified

austenitic stainless steels 15. NUMBER OF PAGES

16.ICE PR

NRC FORM 335 (2-89)
Federal Recycling Program

NUREGICR-7030

Atmospheric Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility of Welded and Unwelded 304,

304L, and 316L Austenitic Stainless Steels Commonly Used for Dry Cask Storage Containers

Exposed to Marine Environments

October 2010

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001

OFFICIAL BUSINESS