Effects of Sensitization Time on Tensile Properties and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of s30408 Austenitic Stainless Steel
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Abstract
Abstract The sensitization of s30408 austenitic stainless steel, induced by exposure within the critical temperature range, significantly deteriorates its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, posing substantial risks to structural applications. This study systematically examines the influence of sensitization time at 650°C on the tensile properties and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of s30408 stainless steel at room temperature with a strain rate of 1.4 × 10–3 s–1. The results demonstrate that sensitization treatment led to a significant deterioration in the material’s ductility, evidenced by a consistent decrease in elongation to failure with prolonged sensitization time. Although strength changes were negligible, the fracture morphology revealed by SEM analysis transitioned from primarily ductile (transgranular) dimples to predominantly brittle intergranular fracture. Correspondingly, AE monitoring captured a dramatic increase in signal activity, particularly in high-amplitude (>60 dB) hits. A key finding is the distinct evolution in the AE frequency spectrum , where sensitized samples exhibited a broadened centroid frequency distribution (100–400 kHz) compared to the unsensitized sample (100–300 kHz). The mean centroid frequency increased from 177.6 kHz in the unsensitized state to 273.7 kHz after 24 h of sensitization, with a marked narrowing of the confidence intervals (CI) indicating a more consistent AE signature. Microstructural analysis revealed that these changes are attributable to the precipitation of chromium-rich carbides along austenite grain boundaries. These carbides act as obstacles to dislocation motion, generating high-amplitude AE bursts, and serve as stress concentration sites for the nucleation of micro-voids and microcracks, ultimately promoting intergranular crack propagation. This work establishes a quantitative correlation between sensitization time, microstructural evolution, mechanical property degradation, and AE response, providing crucial insights for assessing damage states and predicting the service life of stainless steel components in sensitive environments.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion behaviors in metals · Ultrasonics and Acoustic Wave Propagation · Fatigue and fracture mechanics
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (47)
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