AbstractThe main aim of the present work is to determine the transition conditions for the occurrence of splitting in AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel. In the investigation, tensile testing light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and electron diffraction techniques were used. The average size of intergranular carbide particles as a function of annealing conditions and testing temperature were variables in the experiments. It was shown that not only average size but also the area density of intergranular particles controls the appearance of splitting. Under given testing conditions, the occurrence of splitting did not show any influence on the values of tensile properties (ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), elongation to fracture (EF) and reduction in area (RA). The transition temperature of splitting occurrence was found to range between 523 and 623 K.Le principal but de ce travail consiste a det...