FRACTURE-TOUGHNESS OF TYPE-304 AND TYPE-316 STAINLESS-STEELS AND THEIR WELDS

Fracture toughness data for type 304 and 316 stainless steels and thei r welds are reviewed. The material and operational parameters evaluate d in this paper include: heat to heat variability; weld process variat ions; welding induced, heat affected zones; crack orientation; cold wo rk; monotonic and cyclic prestrain; long term thermal aging; neutron i rradiation; temperature; and loading rates. Statistical analyses of li terature data are provided to establish minimum expected fracture toug hness values for use in fracture mechanics design evaluations. Guidanc e is also provided concerning the potential for component failure and when fracture mechanics assessments are required to guard against unst able fracture. Macroscopic fracture toughness properties are correlate d with key microstructural features and operative fracture mechanisms. IMR/297. (C) 1997 The Institute of Materials and ASM International.