The influence of dissolved hydrogen content and surface finish on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) initiation behaviour in Alloy 182 weld metal was studied with flat tapered tensile specimens in simulated boiling water reactor water at 274°C using constant extension rate tensile tests. The surface crack distribution, crack depth and stress threshold for SCC initiation were analysed by detailed post-test quantitative characterisation. Intergranular SCC initiation has been found in all specimens tested with dissolved hydrogen contents varying from 10 to 2000 ppb. The highest crack density and depth and lowest stress threshold for crack initiation were found to be at the Ni/NiO phase transition line with 253 ppb dissolved hydrogen content. In addition, ground surfaces showed a tendency to higher SCC initiation susceptibility compared to electro-polished surfaces.
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