Monte Carlo simulation of stress corrosion cracking on a smooth surface of sensitized stainless steel type 304

Experimental and numerical investigation of stress corrosion cracking of sensitized type 304 stainless steel under high-temperature and high-purity water

“…However, the criteria could not be obtained from our experimental results, because we investigated only the crack profile after crack coalescence or growth. Therefore, referring to the previous study [36], k = 1.5 was assumed in Eq. (4) for the coalescence condition, and the following da/dt -K I relation for type 304 stainless steel proposed by Saito and Kuniya [29] was used for the crack growth condition.…”

“…A Monte Carlo simulation developed by Tohgo et al [34][35][36] is briefly explained in this section.…”

“…Recently, some remaining life prediction methods taking account of multiple processes of SCC behavior have been proposed [32][33][34][35][36]. Hu et al [32] developed a Monte Carlo simulation based on probabilistic fracture mechanics to estimate the life of steam generator pipes in PWRs.…”

“…Kamaya and Itakura [33] developed a simulation model for a three-dimensional polycrystalline solid based on a finite element analysis to take account of local stresses around existing cracks and damage mechanics for initiation and growth of cracks at grain boundaries. Tohgo et al [34][35][36] developed a Monte Carlo simulation based on SCC processes from micro-crack initiation to macro-crack growth on a smooth surface based on stochastic properties for micro-crack initiation and concepts in fracture mechanics for crack coalescence and growth. Through the SCC processes in the model, the effects of semi-elliptical surface cracks were taken into consideration.…”

“…By considering crack growth behavior of micro-crack, a small value for K ISCC (K ISCC = 2 MPa m ) was assumed in this relation[36].4.3 Simulation procedureNumerical simulations were conducted for a square region under uniform constant tensile stress. The simulated area and average grain size were set to be 3 mm × 3 mm and 60 mm based on the localized area of SCC behavior and the microstructure of the material.…”