Cracking alloy

Hydrogen at elevated temperatures can also attack the carbon in steel, forming methane bubbles that can link to form cracks. Alloying materials such as molybdenum and chromium combine with the carbon in steel to prevent decarburization by hydrogen (132). 

C. D. Thompson, N. Lewis, and H. Drasodomski, Analysis of A600 and X-750 SCC cracks. Alloy 600 Experts Meeting, Arlie, VA, EPRI, Palo Alto, April 6-9, 1993. 

An important application of the HMT is the test for ferrous inclusions in high pressure turbine disks made from a non-magnetic metal alloy. On principle, such ferrous inclusions can be introduced during the manufacturing process and, if present, they can be the origin of cracks in these most critical parts. Therefore such tests are stringent necessary. 

There is hardly a metal that cannot, or has not, been joined by some welding process. From a practical standpoint, however, the range of alloy systems that may be welded is more restricted. The term weldability specifies the capacity of a metal, or combination of metals, to be welded under fabrication conditions into a suitable stmcture that provides satisfactory service. It is not a precisely defined concept, but encompasses a range of conditions, eg, base- and filler-metal combinations, type of process, procedures, surface conditions, and joint geometries of the base metals (12). A number of tests have been developed to measure weldabiHty. These tests generally are intended to determine the susceptibiHty of welds to cracking. 

Weldments subjected to corrosive attack over a period of time may crack adjacent to the weld seams if the residual stresses are not removed. Gas—tungsten arc welding and gas—metal arc welding ate recommended for joining magnesium, the former for thinner materials and the latter for thicker materials. Maintaining a protective atmosphere is a critical issue in welding these alloys. 

The regenerative nature of the Wulff operation permits the recovery of most of the sensible heat in the cracked gas. The gases leave the furnace at temperatures below 425°C, thus obviating the need for special high temperature alloys in the switch valve and piping system. 

Stainless steel alloys show exceUent corrosion resistance to HCl gas up to a temperature of 400°C. However, these are normally not recommended for process equipment owing to stress corrosion cracking during periods of cooling and shut down. The corrosion rate of Monel is similar to that of mild steel. Pure (99.6%) nickel and high nickel alloys such as Inconel 600 can be used for operation at temperatures up to 525°C where the corrosion rate is reported to be about 0.08 cm/yr (see Nickel and nickel alloys). 

Many instances of intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of stainless steel and nickel-based alloys have occurred in the reactor water systems of BWRs. IGSCC, first observed in the recirculation piping systems (21) and later in reactor vessel internal components, has been observed primarily in the weld heat-affected zone of Type 304 stainless steel. 

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