O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar as juntas soldadas de uma chapa de aço inoxidável duplex UNS S32205 soldada utilizando diferentes energias (0,5 kJ/mm, 1,0 kJ/mm e 3,5 kJ/mm) e avaliar a susceptibilidade dessas juntas à corrosão sob tensão (CST) em ambiente contendo cloreto. O ensaio por gotejamento \"drop evaporation test\" (DET) de água do mar sintética foi utilizado para avaliar a susceptibilidade à CST das juntas soldadas e investigar os efeitos da temperatura (70 ºC, 90 ºC e 110 ºC) e da tensão de tração (70%, 90% e 100 % do limite de escoamento do metal base) na resistência à CST. Os resultados da caracterização mecânica, suscetibilidade à corrosão intergranular e caracterização microestrutural das juntas soldadas não evidenciaram a presença de fases deletérias, como as fases ? e ?. A proporção da fase ferrita na zona fundida e na zona afetada pelo calor (ZAC) foi inversamente proporcional à energia de soldagem. Por exemplo, a ferrita na ZAC variou de 68% para 0,5 kJ/mm a 54% para 3,5 kJ/mm. Os resultados dos ensaios de CST mostraram houve trincamento e fratura para todos os corpos de prova ensaiados a 110 ºC (mesmo com 70% do limite de escoamento), enquanto que nenhuma trinca foi observada nos corpos de prova ensaiados a 70 ºC e 90 ºC. Os ensaios de CST realizados a 90 ºC apresentaram corrosão localizada e preferencial da fase de ferrita longe do cordão de solda, enquanto os ensaios realizados a 70 ºC não apresentaram sinais significativos de corrosão. Todos os corpos de prova ensaiados a 110 ºC apresentaram fratura abaixo do deposito de sal com aspecto de vulcão formado pela evaporação da solução gotejada. As trincas propagaram pela interface ?/? ou clivagem transgranular nas fases ferrita e austenita. Para menores tensões ensaiadas, a proporção de clivagem transgranular da fase de ferrita foi mais significativa que a fase de austenita. O ensaio de DET não foi eficiente para investigar o efeito das alterações microestruturais na ZAC na susceptibilidade à CST. A análise de distribuição de temperatura na superfície dos corpos de prova indicou que o gotejamento da água do mar sintética teve um efeito de resfriamento e a temperatura na região de gotejamento foi pelo menos 10 ºC mais baixa quando comparada a outras regiões do corpo de prova. Além disso, o pH na região gotejante foi mais básico (pH = 11) do que a solução de água do mar sintética (pH = 8,2). / The present investigation characterized the welded joints of a UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel plate using different welding energies (0.5 kJ/mm, 1.0 kJ/mm and 3.5 kJ/mm) in order to evaluate the susceptibility of these joints to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in Cl- environments. Drop evaporation test (DET) of synthetic seawater was used to assess the SCC behavior of the welded joints and to investigate the effects of the temperature (70 ºC, 90 ºC and 110 ºC) and the tensile strength (70%, 90% and 100% of the base metal\'s yield strength) on their SCC resistance. The results of the mechanical, intergranular corrosion susceptibility and microstructural characterization of the welded joints did not show the presence of deleterious phases, such as ? and ? phases. Additionally, the proportion of ferrite phase in the molten zone and in the heat-affected zone was inversely proportional to the welding energy. For instance, the ferrite in the HAZ varied from 68% for 0.5 kJ/mm to 54% for 3.5 kJ/mm. The results of SCC testing showed the cracking and fracture for all specimens tested at 110 ºC (even at 70% of the yield strength), while no cracking was observed at 70 ºC and 90 ºC. DET performed at 90 ºC showed that there was a localized and preferential corrosion of the ferrite phase far away from the weld bead, while DET performed at 70 ºC did not show any significant sign of corrosion. All samples tested at 110 ºC presented a noteworthy salt deposition in the shape of a volcano and their cracks were formed underneath the salt layer by the pit corrosion of the ferrite phase. The cracks propagated by either ? / ? interfacial or transgranular cleavage at ferrite and austenite phases. For lower stresses, the proportion of transgranular cleavage of the ferrite phase was more significant than the austenite phase. DET was not an efficient test to investigate the effect of the microstructural changes in the HAZ on the SCC susceptibly of the welded joints as the crack took place below the salt deposit and away from the weld bead. The temperature distribution analysis on the surface of the DET samples indicated that the seawater drip has a significant cooling effect and the temperature of this region was at least 10 ºC lower when compared to other regions of the samples. Additionally, the pH on the drip region was more basic (pH = 11) than the synthetic seawater solution (pH = 8.2). Keywords: Duplex stainless steels; stress corrosion cracking; synthetic seawater; welding.

Marine clay deposits are characterized by very soft to soft consistencies (undrained strength 1-50 kPa), presence of saline pore solution and low-swelling clays. Besides, loss of metastable structure on disturbance, poor undrained strengths of soft clays is contributed by high water contents. Presence of saline pore solution and low-swelling clays (illite, chlorite, kaolinite) play an important role in developing metastable structure of soil sediments deposited in marine environment. The pore solution salinity regulates the “physico-chemical (A - R) stress” that in turn has significant bearing on development of the metastable structure. Metastable structure refers to edge-face, edge-edge associations in card-house arrangement of platy/elongate particles that develop during deposition. Loss of metastable structure of soft marine clays upon disturbance leads to excessive settlements and slope failures. Besides A - R forces, metastable structure of marine clays is contributed by cementation bonds, thixotropic hardening, ion leaching, formation or addition of dispersing agents and chemical weathering. Secondary compression also causes bonding of micro-structural units that increase stiffness and strength of the metastable structure. Review of literature brings out that majority of studies examining the role of physico-chemical factors on the engineering behavior of marine clays have focused on illite rich sediments. However, non-swelling clay, namely, kaolinite is also encountered in marine deposits (example, Pusan clay, Singapore clay, Sarapui soft clays). Kaolinites differ from illites in being 1:1 mineral (unit layer comprises of 1 silica sheet bonded to 1 gibbsite sheet) and having strong hydrogen bonding between unit layers. Consequently, kaolinite particles are thick (0.3 to 3 ìm thickness) with low surface area (10 to 20 m2/g). Also the hydrogen bonding between unit layers do not allow them to separate on hydration. Combination of very low isomorphous substitution (Al for Si 1 in 400), low cation exchange capacity (3 meq/100g), and low surface area, lead to negligible development of diffuse double layer repulsion forces between kaolinite particles. Strong positive edge (developed on broken bonds at particle edges from adsorption of hydrogen ions) negative face attraction between kaolinite particles, encourages flocculation of particles at range of water contents. It was therefore considered of interest to examine the engineering response of kaolinites to changes in pore solution salinity from leaching effects. The focus of the thesis is hence to gain better understanding of physico-chemical (pore solution salinity, A - R forces) and mechanical (secondary compression, loss of overburden) factors towards development of metastable structure of kaolinite clays deposited in synthetic seawater environments in the context of their compressibility and undrained strength characteristics. Laboratory experiments are performed with kaolinites that are slurry consolidated in conventional consolidometers in saline and synthetic seawater solutions. The metastable structure developed by consolidated specimens is relevant to alluvial marine sediments that contain kaolinite (example, Pusan clay, Singapore clay, Sarapui soft clays). The structure of the thesis is as follows: Chapter 1 gives an introduction to the thesis. Chapter 2 provides a detailed review of literature on the role of chemical factors (pore solution composition, A - R forces, osmotic suction) and mechanical processes (secondary compression and overconsolidation) in developing metastable structure of kaolinite specimens subjected to slurry consolidation and the consequent influence of metastable structure on compression, undrained strength and sensitivity characteristics of clay specimens. The Chapter also defines the scope and objectives of the study. Chapter 3 details the experimental program undertaken to bring out the role of chemical factors and mechanical processes in influencing the 1-dimensional compression and undrained strength characteristics of slurry consolidated kaolinites prepared in saline medium. Chapter 4 delineates the role of chloride salt solutions (sodium, magnesium and calcium) and synthetic seawater solution in contributing to the metastable structure developed by slurry consolidated kaolinites at various vertical effective stress (óv’) and the consequent influence of metastable structure on 1-dimensional compression, undrained strength and sensitivity characteristics of the clay. Chapter 5 examines influence of secondary compression on metastable structure developed by kaolinites that were slurry consolidated in 24.53 g/L sodium chloride and synthetic seawater solutions and the consequence of the developed metastable structure on undrained strength and sensitivity. The chapter also examines the consequences of secondary compression experienced by soft overconsolidated kaolinites on their undrained strength and sensitivity characteristics. Chapter 6 examines the relative influence of differential osmotic stress and electrochemical stress on the consolidation behaviour of kaolinite specimens that are slurry consolidated in sodium chloride solutions. The osmotic efficiencies (á) of kaolinite were obtained using the Fritz-Marine Membrane Model. Chapter 7 summarizes the major conclusions of the thesis.