Effect of Geometric and Welding Conditions on Through-Thickness Residual Stress

Recently, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of core internals and/or recirculation pipes of austenite stainless steel (SUS316L) has been observed. SCC is considered to occur and progress at near the inner surface of the welding zone in butt-welded pipes, because of the tensile residual stress introduced by welding. In present work, three-dimensional and axisymmetric thermo-elastic-plastic finite element analysis have been carried out, in order to clarify the effect of geometric and welding conditions in circumferential welding zone on the residual stress. In particular, butt-welding joints of SUS316L-pipes have been examined. The residual stress was simulated by three-dimensional and axially symmetric models and the results were compared and discussed in detail.