Abstract
The present investigation is concerned with the degradation characteristics of cast stainless steel(CF8M), exposed to the $\sigma$-phase degradation at $700^{\circ}C$. In the present paper, the degradation of CF8 M at $700^{\circ}C$ is evaluated by a non-destructive test, DL-EPR(double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation). The surface of specimens is observed by using scanning electron microscopy after DL-EPR test. Also. chromium contents of matrix, grain boundary and ferrite phase are analyzed by electron probe X-ray micro analyzer. Through the experiments, the following results are obtained 1) The degree of sensitization(DOS) of CF8M aged up to 15hr at $700^{\circ}C$ is increased with acing time while that is decreased with aging time from 15hr to 150hr. 2) The impact energy decreases with increase of $\sigma$-phase while DOS increases with $\sigma$-phase until aging time reaches to 15hr. After the aging time. 15hr, the $\sigma$-phase and the rate of impact energy with respect to aging time decreases. Therefore the degradation behavior of the CF8M can be evaluated by comparing SEM micrographs and the value of DOS.
