Effect of Sulphate Anions in High Temperature Water on Stress Corrosion Cracking of Inconel 600 Alloy

The effect of sulphate anion concentration on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) sensitivity of Inconel 600 alloy in simulated pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary water was studied by slow strain rate test (SSRT) method. The results showed that sulphate promoted the SCC of Inconel 600 alloy in high temperature water. The SCC sensitivity of the alloy increased with the increase of sulphate concentration. When the sulphate concentration exceeded 300 μg/kg, localized corrosion and localized transgranular cracks appeared on the edge of the fracture surface.