Influence of shot peening and thermal ageing treatment on resistance to intergranular corrosion in shielded metal arc weld metal for type 600 nickel base alloy

Shielded metal arc weld metal for type 600 nickel base alloy (alloy 182) is used for weld components in nuclear power plants. To evaluate the intergranular corrosion resistance of alloy 182 after application of shot peening and subsequent thermal ageing treatment at 593–793 K, we conducted the corrosion test (immersed in boiled 16% sulphuric acid +5.7% copper sulphate aqueous solution at 57.6 ks) using specimens of alloy 182. The results show that the intergranular corrosion resistance of alloy 182 subjected to heat treatment at 893 K for 72 ks was improved by shot peening. Also, the intergranular corrosion resistance was not changed by thermal ageing treatment at 593–793 K subsequent to shot peening. Because remaining chromium depletion layers along grain boundaries were still observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) after shot peening, disappearance of chromium depletion layers cannot be a factor in the improvement of the intergranular corrosion resistance. The results of measurement of surface residual stress by the X-ray diffraction method show that the compressive residual stress introduced by shot peening still remained on the surface of the specimens. Based on these observations, we assumed that chromium depletion layers along grain boundaries near the surface were dissolved by the environment of the corrosion test, the dissolved regions were closed by the compressive residual stress on the surface, and then the remaining chromium depletion layers were protected from the corrosive environment. This assumption explains why the intergranular corrosion resistance was improved although chromium depletion layers remained. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.