| description abstract | In this paper, a series of impact tests on S30403 austenitic stainless steel at 20/−196/−269 آ°C were performed to determine the effects of cryogenic temperatures on the material properties. Both base plate and welded joint including weld and heataffected zone were tested to obtain the Charpy impact energy KV2 and lateral expansion rate at the cross section. It was found that when the test temperature decreased from 20 آ°C to −196 آ°C or −269 آ°C, both the Charpy impact energy KV2 at the base plate and welded joint decreased drastically. Specifically, the impact energy KV2 decreased by 20% at the base plate and decreased by 54% at the welded joint from 20 آ°C to −196 آ°C, but the impact energy of base plate and welded joint did not decrease, even increased when test temperature decreased from −196 آ°C to −269 آ°C. Either at 20 آ°C or −196 آ°C, the impact energy KV2 with 5 أ— 10 أ— 55 mm3 specimens was about 0.53 times that of the 7.5 أ— 10 أ— 55 mm3 specimens, much lower than 2/3, the ratio of two specimens’ cross section areas. | |