RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERCRYSTALLINE CORROSION AND IMPACT STRENGTH WITH PRECIPITATION OF CARBIDES IN STAINLESS STEEL.

THe maximum ICC, due to finely dispersed carbides in the grain boundaries, occurs at lower tempering temperatures and shorter tempering times than the reduction of the impact strength. Susceptibility to ICC during tempering may be accompanied by ductile fracture with no lowering of the impact strength or by brittle components in the fracture and negligible reduction of the impact strength. When the tempering temperature is raised to 700-750 degree the susceptibility to ICC decreases or disappears altogether, in which case the carbides coalesce in the grain boundaries, the fracture becomes brittle, and the impact strength decreases sharply.