Carbide precipitation in austenitic stainless steels at elevated temperatures is commonly associated with which degradation?

Carbide precipitation in austenitic stainless steels at elevated temperatures is commonly associated with which degradation?

• A. Weld decay or sensitization
• B. Hydrogen embrittlement
• C. Creep
• D. Thermal fatigue

Answer: (A)

Carbide precipitation at grain boundaries in austenitic stainless steels occurs when elevated temperatures cause chromium carbides to form at the boundaries. This ties up chromium locally, depleting it in the adjacent regions and lowering corrosion resistance, which makes the metal susceptible to intergranular attack. The resulting degradation is known as sensitization, often seen as weld decay in welded or heat-affected zones. Hydrogen embrittlement, creep, and thermal fatigue are different failure mechanisms and do not specifically arise from carbide precipitation in this context.

Carbide precipitation at grain boundaries in austenitic stainless steels occurs when elevated temperatures cause chromium carbides to form at the boundaries. This ties up chromium locally, depleting it in the adjacent regions and lowering corrosion resistance, which makes the metal susceptible to intergranular attack. The resulting degradation is known as sensitization, often seen as weld decay in welded or heat-affected zones. Hydrogen embrittlement, creep, and thermal fatigue are different failure mechanisms and do not specifically arise from carbide precipitation in this context.