On the resistance of duplex steel to stress corrosion cracking

The paper gives the results of tests carried out into the stress corrosion cracking in duplex stainless steel (Type 02Cr22Ni5Mo3N, W.Nr. 1.4462); this grade is characterized by high resistance to intergranular corrosion, while resistance to stress corrosion cracking may be impaired by temperature and mode of loading. This behaviour requires special attention. The tests included testing in 35% MgCl₂ solution under constant load at 120°C, the drop evaporation test using a 0.1 mol · 1^? NaCl solution and the slow strain rate test in 35% MgCl₂ solution at 120°C.     

Atomistic simulations of stress corrosion cracking

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of stainless steels and nickel alloys in pressurised water reactors (PWR) has been studied for many years but the mechanism at atomic scale is still under debate. The purpose of this paper is to use atomistic calculations, molecular statics (MS) to describe the sequence of phenomena occurring at the crack tip of an SCC fracture. MS simulations with EAM potentials have been carried out on Ni bicrystals containing hydrogen. The calculations show that compression force applied on the crack lips with H at the GB causes brittle rupture. A theoretical model of SCC cracking has been proposed which fits particularly SCC of irradiated stainless steels (IASCC).     

Pitting and stress corrosion cracking resistance of friction stir welded AA 5083

The corrosion behaviour of friction stir welded (FSW) joints of AA 5083 has been compared to that of MIG welded joints. Pitting and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance in 3.5% NaCl + 0.3 g/l H₂O₂ and in EXCO (4 M KCl + 0.5 M KNO₃ + 0.1 M HNO₃) solutions has been determined at 25°C. SCC susceptibility was evaluated by slow strain rate tests (SSRT), at a strain rate of 1 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹.Welds obtained by FSW technique showed a higher corrosion resistance in EXCO solution and a lower pitting tendency than the base alloy. Electrochemical measurements (corrosion potential measurements, polarization curves recording) evidenced that FSW weld was cathodic to base alloy. FSW joints were not susceptible to SCC in both test solutions, whereas MIG joints cracked in both solutions.     

Micromechanical testing of stress corrosion cracking

Abstract

It is known that grain boundaries with differing chemistry, misorientation and structure have varying susceptibility to stress-corrosion cracking (SCC). However, up till now it has not been possible to obtain mechanical property data on individual grain boundaries as they fail under SCC. A novel method of using focused-ion beam machining to manufacture test specimens containing single grain boundaries, combined with loading in a nano-indenter, allows threshold stress levels and crack growth rates in 304 stainless steel to be directly measured. This technique opens up a new field in being able to validate atomistic scale and dislocation models of intergranular SCC. Combining this information with recent advances in microcharacterisastion, modelling and thermomechanical treatment engineering promises to provide a more complete understanding of inter-granular SCC failure and a better approach to reducing SCC susceptibility and predicting component lifetimes.     

Volume diffusion and stress corrosion cracking

The dissolution behaviour of radioactive labelled brass in cuprammonium solutions is interpreted as solid-state diffusion process. The fast rate of this process is facilitated by the large number of excess vacancies near the metal/electrolyte interface, which are generated on the corroding surface by preferential dissolution of the less noble metal. Excess vacancies are preferentially annihilated at lattice imperfections (like grain boundaries) and the voids formed decrease the tensile strength along the perturbed region. A mathematical model is developed to calculate the steady-state rates of intergranular crack propagation of homogeneous binary alloys. Results of the numerical calculations correlate closely with empirical findings in respect of the dependence from bulk alloy compositions, current densities, temperature, tensile stress, as well as threshold values for crack propagation. Basic characteristics of the mechanism are applicable for transgranular crack propagation as well as for SCC of inhomogeneous alloys.     

应力腐蚀裂纹试验研究

通过对聚合釜应力腐蚀裂纹附近材质的硬度、金相组织进行试验制定等方法，指出了压力容器应力腐蚀的特征及产生的原因。     

A review of the crystallography of stress corrosion cracking

Some analogies in transgranular stress corrosion fracture were found among the three crystal systems reviewed. All fracture surfaces exhibit similar fractographic morphologies, such as parallel and relatively smooth fracture facets separated by crystallographic or fan-shaped steps. Also, most fracture surfaces are cleavage-like in appearance. In both BCC and HCP metals it has been shown that the slip system geometry has a determining effect on the orientation of the cracking plane. It seems, therefore, that in the SCC of metals with these two crystal structures a strong mechanical factor is involved. Another common characteristic of the transgranular SCC in metals with BCC and HCP structures is that cracks prefer not to follow slip planes. This was observed to a great extent also in FCC metals and appears to suggest that mechanical parameters may influence the SCC mechanism in all metals.In reviewing the extensive work in this area, one is struck by the lack of any broad systematic study of the crystallographic nature of SCC. Such a program would lend much to the overall understanding of SCC phenomena in these systems.     

Predictive approaches to stress corrosion cracking failure

The methods available for predicting the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking are discussed in detail. Current decay measurements and potentiodynamic methods are considered in relation to kinetic factors controlling crack initiation and propagation. Prediction from structural aspects of an alloy are reviewed and are considered to be applicable only where there is some preexisting active path and not for a strain-generated path. Localized changes within cracks and the distribution of potential are discussed. In many cases the magnitude of potential drop in a crack is of minor concern. The nature of the specimen surface may be very important since some oxides of iron exhibit a very low current reduction efficiency. Cracking conditions need to be carefully defined by employing both kinetic and thermodynamic data as has been done for a C-Mn steel in phosphate solutions.     

Anisotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour of prestressing steel

This paper evaluates the anisotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour of high-strength prestressing steel wires. To this end, two eutectoid steels in the form of hot rolled bar and cold drawn wire were subjected to stress corrosion cracking tests in aqueous environments using a constant strain technique and precracked three point bend specimens to measure the crack growth rate da/dt as a function of the stress intensity factor K_I under hydrogen embrittlement environmental conditions (pH = 12.5 E = − 1200 mV SCE). While the hot rolled bar presents an isotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour associated with mode I crack growth, the cold drawn wire exhibits a change in crack propagation direction approaching that of the wire axis (cold drawing direction) and producing mixed mode crack growth. This anisotropic stress corrosion cracking behaviour is a consequence of manufacturing, since cold drawing affects the microstructure of the material and produces a preferential orientation of the pearlite lamellae aligned parallel to the wire axis. The differences of crack growth rate as a function of the crack propagation direction are discussed.     

Si含量对7050铝合金显微组织和抗应力腐蚀开裂的影响

分别研究Si含量为0．094％、0．134％和0．261％的3种T7651态7050铝合金的组织和应力腐蚀开裂敏感性。结果表明：随着Si含量从0．094％增加到0．261％,Mg2Si相的面积分数从0．16％增加到1．48％,并且尺寸粗化;而其它粗大相（包括Al2CuMg、Mg（Al3Cu,Zn）2和Al7Cu2Fe）的面积分数从2．42％减小到0．78％。合金的电导率随Si含量的增加而增加。合金在空气中进行慢应变速率拉伸时,抗拉强度和伸长率随Si含量的增加而降低;而在3．5％NaCl溶液中进行慢应变速率拉伸时,随Si含量增加,合金应力腐蚀开裂敏感性降低。     

Al-Zn-Mg-Cu合金组织和电导率及抗应力腐蚀性能研究

研究了三种Al-Zn-Mg-Cu合金在回归再时效状态下的组织、电导率与抗应力腐蚀性能的关系.结果表明,电导率≥35.46%IACS的合金均表现出良好的抗应力腐蚀性能与较高的拉伸强度,晶界组织为粗大分立的η相,晶内为均匀弥散的GP区和η'相;而电导率≤34.63%IACS的合金虽然拉伸强度较高,但抗应力腐蚀性能较低,晶界组织为尺寸较小的链状η相.分析表明,相对常规T73等过时效状态的高电导率(38%～42%IACS),回归再时效状态弥散的晶内组织导致了较低的电导率和高抗拉强度,但粗大分立的晶界析出相仍然使其获得了优良的抗应力腐蚀性能,从而使合金表现出电导率适中(35.46%～36.82%IACS)、抗应力腐蚀性能良好和拉伸强度高的特点.     

Assessing the possibility of stress corrosion cracking during acid cleaning

During chemical cleaning large volumes of inhibited acids are pumped through boilers and there is a possibility of stress corrosion cracking occurring under certain conditions. This paper examines four material/environmental combinations encountered in practice: mild steel in inhibited hydrochloric acid, mild steel, a 9%Cr-1%Mo steel and a sensitized austenitic stainless steel in inhibited citric acid. The electrochemistry of each is examined, various predictability tests performed, and these compared to the results of slow strain-rate stress corrosion tests. No stress corrosion occurred with the material-environmental-stress conditions which should be encountered in practice; however, cracking could be induced to occur by out of specification conditions. The results of the predictability tests did not correlate with the observed cracking susceptibilities. However this lack of agreement could be explained with a detailed knowledge of the electrochemistry involved in each system.     

Theoretical description of the practical possibility of stress corrosion cracking from crevice corrosion sites

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) from crevice corrosion sites had been found in an experimental work at polarization potential of + 200 mV_SCE. In that work, an occluded U‐bend specimen of Type 316L (UNS S31603) stainless steel was used. The testing was done in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. Based on that work, the practical possibility of SCC from the occluded U‐bend specimen was described theoretically. It was shown that it would also be possible for SCC to occur in practice (i.e. at practical corrosion potential), but the crevice needs to be tighter. Meanwhile, it would take a longer time for obvious SCC to emerge. For a practical crevice usually formed by placing a crevice former on a large uniform metal surface, the crevice geometry may have little effect on SCC although the crevice can sustain an acidified solution more easily than pitting. The possibility of SCC should mainly depend on the corrosion system itself, i.e. material and environment.     

Zr-based bulk glassy alloy with improved resistance to stress corrosion cracking in sodium chloride solutions

In order to evaluate stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of Zr-based bulk glassy alloys and develop the BGAs with low susceptibility to SCC, the SCC behaviour of Zr₅₀Cu₄₀Al₁₀, Zr₅₀Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₁₀ and hypoeutectic Zr₇₀Cu₆Al₈Ni₁₆ BGAs in various environments including sodium chloride solution has been investigated using a slow strain rate technique at an initial strain rate of 5 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹. It is found, for the first time, that the Zr₇₀Cu₆Al₈Ni₁₆ BGA has no susceptibility to SCC in a 0.5 M NaCl solution. On the other hand, Zr₅₀Cu₄₀Al₁₀ and Zr₅₀Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₁₀ BGAs are highly susceptible to SCC in the NaCl solution, although they are not susceptible to SCC in de-ionized water, phosphate buffer, 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ and 0.5 M NaNO₃ solutions. The possible cause of the high susceptibility to SCC in the NaCl solution for the Zr₅₀Cu₄₀Al₁₀ and Zr₅₀Cu₃₀Al₁₀Ni₁₀ BGAs is discussed.     

The caustic stress corrosion cracking of high-strength steel wire

For an eutectoid steel strengthened to different levels by cold drawing patented rods to 2 mm diameter wires, two potential ranges of susceptibility to high-rate caustic stress corrosion cracking (S.C.C.) were located in the polarization curve. While active path S.C.C. occurs at the active-passive transition, stress cracking via hydrogen embrittlement results at potentials below the anodic dissolution peak. From rupture tests at free corrosion potentials on wire specimens stressed to 80% of the tensile stress the influence of cold working (strength level), heat treatment (stress relieving at 400°C) and environmental chemistry (inhibitor additions) was investigated. Besides the expected increase of susceptibility with strength level, a deleterious effect of stress relieving resulted at all the strength levels tested. Sufficient concentrations of chromate ions succeeded in inhibiting completely S.C.C.     

热处理制度对2056铝合金微观组织和抗应力腐蚀性能的影响

采用光学显微分析、扫描电镜及透射电镜观察、慢应变速率拉伸测试等研究2056铝合金在T6、T851及T351热处理状态下的微观组织和抗应力腐蚀性能.结果表明:2056合金在T6态下,晶内析出相主要为粗大的S'相和少量粗大的含锰相,抗拉强度为445.13 MPa,晶界析出相粗大且呈非连续分布,无沉淀析出带(PFz)为0.1～0.2μm,应力腐蚀敏感性最大;T851态下,晶内析出相主要为细小弥散的S'相,合金具有最高的抗拉强度,达到502.01MPa,晶界析出相呈离散状分布,PFZ较窄,约为0.02 μm,抗应力腐蚀性能优于T6态的;T351时效状态下,晶内观察到大量的位错和位错塞积以及少量GPB区,抗拉强度为469.73MPa,介于T6和T851之间,晶界无粗大平衡相析出,无明显PFZ,抗应力腐蚀性能最好.     

The fractography of stress corrosion cracking in carbon steels

The stress corrosion cracking of carbon steels in a number of environments (nitrates, hydroxides, carbonates, chlorides and liquid ammonia) has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. The crack path depends on both heat treatment and environmental conditions. In annealed steels it appears that solutions which produce thick corrosion products induce intergranular cracking, while in solutions where adsorption induced inhibition occurs or thin films form, cracking is transgranular. Although the available fractographic evidence is ambiguous, it appears to rule out either hydrogen embrittlement or brittle films as being important in crack propagation. However, the fracture surface morphologies are consistent with the cracks propagating by anodic dissolution, possibly aided by mechanical tearing.     

Effects of surface preparation on pitting resistance, residual stress, and stress corrosion cracking in austenitic stainless steels

Surface finishing treatments such as shot blasting and wire brushing can be beneficial in improving the integrity of machined surfaces of austenitic stainless steels. These operations optimize in-service properties such as resistance to pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC). In this study, ground steel surfaces were subjected to a series of sand blasting and wire brushing treatments. The surfaces were then characterized by their hardness, surface residual stress state, and resistance to stress corrosion and pitting corrosion. Some samples were selected for depth profiling of residual stress. It is found that surface hardening and the generation of near-surface compressive residual stress are the benefits that can be introduced by sand blasting and brushing operations.