Stress Corrosion Cracking of Welded 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel in Sulfide-containing Caustic Solution

Duplex stainless steel (DSS) grades are used in pulp mills for their superior properties and resistance to general corrosion. However, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of DSS equipment has been experienced in different pulp mills. The susceptibility of DSS grades to SCC can be mainly attributed to the various heating processes involved during the manufacturing of industrial equipments, especially welding. It is generally understood that heating cycles during welding may affect the dual microstructure (ferrite/austenite ratio) of the steel, making it more prone to cracking in aggressive environments such as chlorides and caustics and further exposure to high temperatures. Welded 2205 DSS failed in white liquor (mainly NaOH + Na₂S) was examined for SCC crack morphology and microstructure. Heat-treated 2205 DSS samples were tested in simulated white liquor to see the effect of microstructure on SCC susceptibility. Austenite is more susceptible to SCC than ferrite, but the SCC susceptibility primarily depends on the composition of the alloy and the chemistry of the exposure environment.