Effect of temperature on the stress corrosion cracking of zircaloy-4 in iodine alcoholic solutions

Zircaloy-4 is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in solutions of iodine dissolved in different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol and 1-octanol). The crack propagation rate is known to decrease as the solvent molecular weight increases, as a consequence of steric hindrance. However, the mechanism that operates during SCC is still unknown. In the present work the effect of temperature on SCC susceptibility was evaluated in 1-butanol and 1-pentanol iodine containing solutions. The dependence of the crack growth rate with temperature follows an Arrhenius law, and the activation energy obtained from experimental data is consistent with a process controlled by volume diffusion of the active species (the iodine-alcohol complex) to the crack tip.     

Finite element calculation of crack propagation in type 304 stainless steel in diluted sulphuric acid solutions

The crack propagation rate of Type 304 stainless steel in diluted sulphuric acid solutions was modelled based on finite element calculations of the chemical and electrochemical conditions within the crack and an analytical expression for the crack-tip strain rate. The slip/dissolution/repassivation mechanism was assumed. The influence of various variables - dissolved oxygen, sulphuric acid content, stress intensity, crack length, temperature, flow rate, sensitization and yield strength - was studied and found to be in agreement with experimental observations. The model was calibrated against one data point. The effect of temperature on thermal conductivity, electrode reaction kinetics, equilibrium constants, yield strength and crack geometry was considered and the thermal activation energy for the crack propagation rate could almost fully be accounted for.     

Mechanismus des Rißwachstums bei der Spannungsrißkorrosion des austenitischen Stahls X6 CrNiTi 18 10 in wäßriger Chloridlösung bei erhöhten Temperaturen

SCC crack growth mechanism of austenitic stainless steel X6 CrNiTi 18 10 in aqueous chloride solution at elevated temperatures The SCC crack growth mechanism of steam generator heat transfer tubes from stainless steel X6 CrNiTi 18 10 under internal stress conditions at elevated temperatures is discussed. Based on crack tip characterization by means of Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy and the evidence of hydrogen originated throughout the corrosion process a crack propagation model is presented. The results refer to a microcrack induced gradual crack growth caused by local hydrogen embrittlement. Microcrack growth has been observed due to slip-band decohesion. The crack growth rate is mainly influenced by the stress state near the crack tip and the hydrogen evolution throughout the corrosion process.     

The role of environmental exposure in the fatigue behaviour of an aluminium alloy

This paper reports measurements of fatigue crack velocities for an aluminium alloy 7017-T651 in high purity gaseous environments with different values of water vapour pressure and frequency. Also a detailed fractographical analysis by SEM is presented and the fracture surface morphology is correlated with the testing parameters and with the crack stress intensity level. Within a range of environmental exposure (defined as the product between the pressure and the time available for surface reaction during one fatigue cycle) crack propagation rates depend linearly on the exposure. The experimental fatigue crack propagation data are satisfactorily explained in terms of a corrosion-fatigue model for gaseous environments.     

不同外加电位下 X80 管线钢在近中性 pH 溶液环境中的裂纹扩展行为研究

目的研究不同外加电位下,X80管线钢在近中性p H溶液环境中的裂纹扩展行为。方法对X80管线钢紧凑拉伸试样进行近中性p H溶液环境中的循环加载试验,利用拍摄装置记录不同循环次数下的裂纹长度,并利用扫描电镜(SEM)观察裂纹扩展面上的微观形貌。研究不同外加电位下,X80钢在近中性p H溶液环境中的裂纹扩展速率,分析其裂纹扩展规律。结果在开路条件下,循环加载755次时,裂纹扩展4.6 mm后失稳断裂;在外加电位为-775 m V(vs.SCE)的条件下,循环加载671次时,裂纹扩展3.677 mm后失稳断裂;在外加电位为-1125 m V(vs.SCE)的条件下,循环加载625次时,裂纹扩展3.882 mm后失稳断裂。结论在开路电位和弱阴极电位下,裂纹扩展受到阳极溶解机制和氢脆机制的混合控制,以阳极溶解机制为主,裂纹扩展速率均较低;随着外加电位降低,裂纹扩展机制逐渐过渡为主要受氢致开裂作用控制,裂纹扩展速率显著增加。     

The influence of simulated fuel-grade ethanol on fatigue crack propagation in pipeline and storage-tank steels

This study presents an evaluation of fatigue crack propagation in three steels (A36, X52, and X70) in a simulated fuel-grade ethanol environment. A fracture mechanics testing approach was used to determine crack propagation rates as a function of the stress-intensity-factor amplitude (ΔK). Results of this testing and the fracture analysis indicate that all three materials are susceptible to enhanced fatigue damage in fuel-grade ethanol environments. We show that the damage mechanism is attributed to susceptibility of each material to ethanol stress-corrosion cracking under fatigue loading conditions and propose a model for determining crack growth rates in ethanol fuel.     

Comments on the “Stress corrosion cracking of zirconium and zircaloy-4 in halide aqueous solutions” by S.B. Farina, G.S. Duffo, J.R. Galvele

The above paper [Corros. Sci. 45 (2003) 2497] declares a general approach to describing stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mechanism and despite of the criticism of the so-called “surface mobility mechanism” (SMM) e.g., [Corros. Sci. 36 (1994) 669, Corros. Sci. 45 (2003) 2105]. The paper [Corros. Sci. 45 (2003) 2497] demonstrates inner contradictions and mutually excluding statements of SMM when fitted calculated and measured values of crack propagation rate. As shown in these Comments, the crack propagation rate calculated using SMM is only the Nabarro-Herring creep deformation rate, which can never be numerically equal to the crack propagation rate. Thus, tests undertaken by the author of SMM cannot be accepted as experimental evidence of the SMM.     

Predicting the mechanisms and crack growth rates of pipelines undergoing stress corrosion cracking at high pH

A fundamentally based mathematical model was developed with the goal to predict, as a first step, the crack growth rate (CGR) of high pH stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of buried steel pipelines. Two methods were used to predict CGRs and for both methods the model has included the film rupture and repassivation mechanism. The two methods are distinguished by the expression used to determine the active anodic current density at the crack tip. In the first method, this current density is expressed by the anodic polarization curve with a large peak current density and the prediction tends to yield a larger CGR and a lower pH at the crack tip. By contrast, when the Butler–Volmer equation is used to express the crack tip anodic current density, with a predicted low CGR the chemistry at the tip does not appear to have any significant change due to the high buffer of the solution.The predicted mechanism responsible for the steady-state crack growth is shown to be the balance between the increasing stress intensity factor as the crack grows, which tends to increase the crack tip strain rate and thus the CGR, and the change of the crack tip condition, which, for large CGRs, is the significant shift in the more negative direction of the crack tip potential, and for low CGRs, the increase of ferrous ion concentration, and either tends to decrease CGR.Limitations currently existing in the model and proposal for further development of the model are discussed.     

回火温度对工程机械用超高强钢组织及回火脆性的影响

通过SEM、TEM、-20 ℃夏比V型冲击试验等分析手段研究了回火温度对工程机械用超高强钢微观组织及回火脆性的影响,并结合断口特征及微观组织分析裂纹扩展路径。结果表明,试验钢在200~500 ℃回火时,随着回火温度的升高,马氏体分解后形成的碳化物的析出位置从马氏体板条内逐步过渡到原始奥氏体晶界和马氏体板条界,其形状由针状变为粒状,并不断粗化。回火温度为200 ℃和500 ℃时,冲击试样断口的不稳定断裂区为韧性断裂。300 ℃回火时,出现了回火脆性,其冲击试样断口的不稳定断裂区为准解理断裂,裂纹扩展路径相对平直。微观组织分析发现,在原始奥氏体晶界及马氏体板条界析出大量的针状碳化物,这些碳化物提供了裂纹形核位置,促进了裂纹扩展,导致了回火脆性的产生。     

Role of Bayer solution concentration and temperature in stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of steel

To improve the efficiency of the Bayer process for the extraction of alumina from Bauxite ore, there is a push for increasing processing temperature and caustic concentrations, which has also led to an increased concern for caustic embrittlement. In this study, the caustic cracking behaviour of steel in Bayer solutions of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mol dm⁻³ “free caustic” concentrations have been studied at different temperatures using pre-cracked circumferential notch tensile specimens. It has been observed that at 100 °C, steel is susceptible to caustic cracking in each of the four Bayer solutions. Caustic cracking has also been observed at temperatures as low as 55 °C. Tests were also conducted using only the notched specimens (i.e., without pre-cracking) in a 7.5 mol dm⁻³ “free caustic” Bayer solution at 120 °C to study the stress corrosion crack formation and propagation behaviour in blunt notches.     

The effect of test temperature on SCC behavior of austenitic stainless steels in boiling saturated magnesium chloride solution

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of the austenitic stainless steels of types 304, 310 and 316 was investigated as a function of test temperature in boiling saturated magnesium chloride solution (MgCl₂) using a constant load method. Both of types 304 and 316 exhibited similar corrosion elongation curves, while the corrosion elongation curve of type 310 was different from those of types 304 and 316, in terms of the three parameters such as time to failure (t_f), steady-state elongation rate (l_ss) and transition time to time to failure ratio (t_ss/t_f) obtained from the corrosion elongation curves for these stainless steels. The relationship between the time to failure and a reciprocal of test temperature fell in two straight lines on a semi-logarithmic scale as well as the relationship between the steady-state elongation rate and a reciprocal of test temperature. These regions were considered to correspond to a SCC-dominated region and a hydrogen embrittlement (HE)-dominated region from the value of (t_ss/t_f) and the fracture appearance. The relationship between the steady state elongation rates versus time to failure on a logarithmic scale became a straight line, whereas the slopes of the line for the stainless steels were different with the different fracture mechanism such as SCC and HE. It was found that the linearity of the relationship can be used to predict the time to failure for the stainless steels in the corrosive environment. In addition, type 310 did not suffer from HE, which means that type 310 showed only SCC. This would be explained by whether or not a formation of α′-martensite takes place.     

Effect of temperature on transgranular and intergranular stress corrosion crack velocity of Ag–Au alloys

The effect of temperature on both the transgranular and the intergranular stress corrosion crack velocity of silver–gold alloys in a 1 M KCl solution was studied for temperatures ranging from 25 to 80 °C by means of slow strain rate experiments. At a constant potential and a constant elongation rate, the crack propagation rate was higher the higher the temperature. Transgranular stress corrosion cracking (TGSCC) velocity was found to change with the temperature, as well as with the potential, in the same way as intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) velocity. In the region of potentials where the crack velocity was not controlled by ion diffusion in the crack, it was concluded that TGSCC and IGSCC for Ag–Au alloys in KCl solutions were controlled by the same stress corrosion cracking mechanism.     

ADB610钢焊接接头概率疲劳裂纹扩展分析

采用焊条电弧焊方法对ADB610钢进行焊接,对焊接接头进行疲劳裂纹扩展试验,研究其概率疲劳裂纹扩展规律.采用两步七点递增多项式拟合方法,计算了一系列相同裂纹长度下母材区、热影响区和焊缝区的对数裂纹扩展速率方差和存活率分别为50%,90%,95%,99%,99.9%的裂纹扩展速率.结果表明,总体上母材区的裂纹扩展分散性最小,热影响区其次,焊缝区分散性最大;而且总体上存活率相同时,在裂纹扩展的初期,母材区的裂纹扩展速率最快,焊缝区的裂纹扩展速率最慢;在裂纹扩展末期,三区域的裂纹扩展快慢相当;随着存活率增大,三区域裂纹扩展快慢差别不大时所对应的裂纹长度减小.     

马氏体与贝氏体组织GC—4超高强度钢的腐蚀疲劳裂纹扩展

本文研究了马氏体组织与贝氏体组织４０ＣｒＭｎＳｉＭｏＶＡ（ＧＣ－４）超高强度钢的腐蚀疲劳（ＣＦ）裂纹扩展特性及机理。结果表明，不显微组织状态下，ＧＣ－４钢在３．５ＮａＣｌ溶液中的ＣＦ裂纹扩展曲线上，都出现了类似于应力腐蚀的平台区，而且马氏体组织ＧＣ－４钢的平台区裂纹扩展速度远大于贝氏体组织。断口分析与理论研究表明，氢脆在ＧＣ－４钢的腐蚀疲劳中起重要作用。     

Environment-induced cracking of Al–Cu alloy (AA2017P-T3) under constant load in distilled water and sodium chloride solutions

The environment-induced cracking (EIC) of a commercial Al–Cu alloy has been investigated as functions of applied stress, chloride ion concentration and test temperature in distilled water and sodium chloride solutions by using a constant load method. The effect of chloride ion on EIC is complex. The EIC susceptibility increased, unchanged and then decreased with increasing the chloride ion concentration. However, whenever EIC takes place with and without chloride ion, the fracture appearance and the value of t_ss (transition time to deviation from linear elongation)/t_f (time to failure) are the same, and further the relationship between log t_f and log l_ss (steady state elongation rate) becomes the identical straight line irrespective of applied stress, chloride ion concentration and test temperature. The latter means that l_ss becomes a relevant parameter for predicting t_f. It has been concluded that EIC of Al–Cu alloy takes place by hydrogen embrittlement (HE) associated with the fracture of hydride, and a HE mechanism is qualitatively proposed to explain the results obtained.     

Sub critical crack growth in hydrogen assisted cracking of cold drawn eutectoid steel

The fracture behaviour of eutectoid cold drawn steel wires under constant load in hydrogen charged condition was evaluated. Hydrogen charging was obtained by dipping steel wires in ammonium thiocyanate solution. Sub-critical crack growth was monitored by means of Acoustic emission (AE) technique. Fractographic analysis revealed a mixed mode crack propagation (mode I and mode II) characterized by a multi-terrace appearance of the surface fracture. A modification of the macroscopic mechanical behaviour of the steel was also evidenced by micro hardness measurements. A simplified stress-assisted hydrogen diffusion model was used to interpret experimental observations and to estimate a theoretical crack propagation rate. Such a value was in accordance with that obtained from the analysis of AE data.     

Critique of the Ford-Andresen film rupture model for aqueous stress corrosion cracking

The Ford-Andresen film rupture model for aqueous stress corrosion cracking has obtained a prominent position in the nuclear reactor industry. The model is said to have superior predictive capabilities because it is derived from a fundamental understanding of the film rupture-repassivation mechanism of crack advance. However, a critical review shows that there are conceptual and mathematical problems with the Ford-Andresen model development; there are inconsistencies among the stated and implied assumptions, the crack tip current density expression lacks the necessary dependence on crack tip strain rate and the fundamental proportionality that exists between crack tip strain rate and crack growth rate is overlooked and omitted from the model development. Consequently, the Ford-Andresen model must be considered neither phenomenologically nor fundamentally supported.     

Die Ausbreitung von Spannungskorrosionsrissen in der Aluminium-Legierung AlZnMg 3

Crack propagation during stress corrosion cracking of AlZnMg 3 alloy The authors have studied crack propagation in notched specimens exposed to sodium chloride solution at 30°C under constant load. Crack propagation have been followed by microphotography which has enabled gliding phenomena within the specimen to be followed, too. Starting from the rest potential and shifting it toward more cathodic values crack propagation is at first slowed down which is a type of cathodic protection, but afterwards – in the hydrogen evolution region with simultaneous cathodic corrosion – the crack propagation velocity increases. This fact can be attributed to hydrogen embrittlement. Taking into account that the industrial alloy is more resistant than the high purity alloy one may arrive at the conclusion that the impurity content acts as a decelerating factor giving rise to an extension of the incubation period.     

极化和频率对A537钢在3.5%NaCl溶液中的腐蚀疲劳裂纹扩展行为的影响

利用三电极技术研究了极化和频率对A537低合金钢在3.5%NaCl活化体系的腐蚀疲劳的裂纹扩展行为,包括对裂纹扩展速率和断口形貌的影响.结果表明,在活化体系中,强极化条件,频率越小,裂纹扩展速率越大;在阴极保护条件下,频率对裂纹扩展速率的影响很小.阳极溶解和阴极析氢可以增加裂纹扩展速率.裂尖析氢量的大小决定了断口解理面大小.在裂尖塑性区内的位错结构为胞结构,而在塑性区外为长位错线