Electrochemical Transients Observed during Slow Strain Rate Test of Alloy 600 in Borated and Lithiated High Temperature Water

Intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of alloy 600 was reproduced in borated and lithiated high-temperature water at 340°C by slow strain rate test (SSRT). The electrochemical fluctuations both in current and in potential were monitored during the test to investigate localized and transient electrochemical events taking place on the straining specimen. Analysis of the electrochemical transients has been done to deliberate on the mechanism of IGSCC in alloy 600. The results also suggested the importance of a double-layer capacitance in the electrochemical events, which is associated with cracking.