The mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement: the stress interaction between a crack, a hydrogen cluster, and moving dislocations

Mechanisms of dissolvent anodic chemical reaction and hydrogen embrittlement have been proposed as stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mechanisms. The former is feasible for the case of plastic deformation dominant metals (low-yield stress), and the latter is for high-strength metals such as high-strength steels. However, in spite of low-yield stress, a discontinuous cleavage-like fracture is sometimes observed during SCC for ductile fcc alloys, which concerns the interaction between dislocations and the hydrogen cluster. The problem of when these mechanisms will be dominant remains. In this paper, the stress corrosion cracking model on the basis of hydrogen diffusion and concentration toward the elastic-plastic stress field around a crack and the interaction of dislocations and hydrogen around a crack tip are proposed to clarify the mechanism of stress corrosion cracking for ductile and brittle materials. We conducted numerical analyses using these proposed models.     

The mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement: the stress interaction between a crack, a hydrogen cluster, and moving dislocations

Mechanisms of dissolvent anodic chemical reaction and hydrogen embrittlement have been proposed as stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mechanisms. The former is feasible for the case of plastic deformation dominant metals (low-yield stress), and the latter is for high-strength metals such as high-strength steels. However, in spite of low-yield stress, a discontinuous cleavage-like fracture is sometimes observed during SCC for ductile fcc alloys, which concerns the interaction between dislocations and the hydrogen cluster. The problem of when these mechanisms will be dominant remains. In this paper, the stress corrosion cracking model on the basis of hydrogen diffusion and concentration toward the elastic-plastic stress field around a crack and the interaction of dislocations and hydrogen around a crack tip are proposed to clarify the mechanism of stress corrosion cracking for ductile and brittle materials. We conducted numerical analyses using these proposed models.     

Fracture of notched polycarbonate under hydrostatic pressure

The brittle fracture behaviour and plastic deformation of round-notched polycarbonate bars subjected to three-point bending under hydrostatic pressure have been studied. Below a certain critical pressure, the brittle fracture initiated from an internal craze nucleated at the tip of the local plastic zone ahead of the notch rooT. The position of the nucleation of the craze receded from the tip of the notch with increasing applied pressure. When the pressure was increased over a critical value, general yielding occurred by passage of the plastic zone across the notched cross-section, that is, the brittle to ductile transition took place. A qualitative analysis of the stress distribution within the plastic zone explains that the brittle to ductile transition under hydrostatic pressure occurs when the general yield takes place before a critical stress for brittle crack propagation is reached.     

On the stress corrosion cracking mechanisms of austenitic stainless steels

In this paper, experimental results on stress corrosion cracking in austenitic stainless steels are described. Crack growth data in sodium chloride solution for AISI 304 steel obtained for different metallurgical conditions, acoustic emission data recorded during crack growth and fractographic observations have been discussed with a view to identifying the operating mechanism. Some of the experimental observations such as crack propagation occurring in discontinuous jumps of the order of a few microns, lowering of the threshold stress intensity andJ-integral values on sensitization and cold working, typical transgranular fractographic features, transition in mode of fracture from transgranular to intergranular in sensitized conditions and activation energies of the order of 50 to 65 kJ/mol can all be accounted by hydrogen embrittlement mechanism. Hydrogen generated at the crack tip by corrosion reaction diffuses ahead of the crack tip under hydrostatic stress and influences the deformation process at the crack tip and also leads to the brittle component of the crack advance in jumps.     

Influence of Inhibitor Concentration on Corrosion Fatigue Crack Initiation and Propagation

The paper reports the effect of0.01,0.1 and 1%NaNO2, a passive inhibitor, on corrosion fatigue (CF) crack initiation and propagation for a low strength structural steel A537 in 3.5%NaCl aqueous solution. The experimental results show that inhibitor increases the required cycles of CF crack initiation effectively, and this effect increases with increasing inhibitor concentration.However, there is nearly no effect of NaNO2 on CF crack propagation. The same CF crack propagation rate was found in all kinds of solutions. The results also indicate that the passive time in 1%NaNO2 solution during plastic deformation is much longer than cyclic time. NaNO2 passivates the specimen sudece and repairs passive film damaged by cyclic loading during the crack initiation. while the passsive film is not formed fully due to continuous plastic deformation at the crack tip during the CF crack propagation, which is much different from that in the stress corrosion cracking and general corrosion     

ESEM observations of SCC initiation for 4340 high strength steel in distilled water

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) initiation process for 4340 high strength steel in distilled water at room temperature was studied using a new kind of instrument: an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). It was found that the applied stress accelerated oxide film formation which has an important influence on the subsequent SCC initiation. SCC was observed to initiate in the following circumstances: (1) cracking of a thick oxide film leading to SCC initiation along metal grain boundaries, (2) the initiation of pits initiating SCC in the metal and (3) SCC initiating from the edge of the specimen.All these three SCC initiation circumstances are consistent with the following model which couples SCC initiation with cracking of a surface protective oxide. There is a dynamic interaction between oxide formation, the applied stress, oxide cracking, pitting and the initiation of SCC. An aspect of the dynamic interaction is cracks forming in a protective surface oxide because of the applied stress, exposing to the water bare metal at the oxide crack tip, and oxidation of the bare metal causing crack healing. Oxide crack healing would be competing with the initiation of intergranular SCC if an oxide crack meets the metal surface at a grain boundary. If the intergranular SCC penetration is sufficiently fast along the metal grain boundary, then the crack yaws open preventing healing of the oxide crack. If intergranular SCC penetration is not sufficiently fast, then the oxidation process could produce sufficient oxide to fill both the stress corrosion crack and the oxide crack; in this case there would be initiation of SCC but only limited propagation of SCC. Stress-induced cracks in very thin oxide can induce pits which initiate SCC, and under some conditions such stress induced cracks in a thin oxide can directly initiate SCC.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Porous Layer-enhanced Dislocation Emission and Crack Propagation in Iron Crystal

The internal stress induced by a porous layer or passive layer can assist the applied stress to promote dislocation emission and crack propagation, e.g. when the pipeline steel is buried in the soil containing water, resulting in stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is performed to study the process of dislocation emission and crack propagation in a slab of Fe crystal with and without a porous layer on the surface of the crack. The results show that when there is a porous layer on the surface of the crack, the tensile stress induced by the porous layer can superimpose on the external applied stress and then assist the applied stress to initiate crack tip dislocation emission under lowered stress intensity KI, or stress. To respond to the corrosion accelerated dislocation emission and motion, the crack begins to propagate under lowered stress intensity KI, resulting in SCC.     

铈离子对高强铝合金应力腐蚀开裂的缓蚀作用

基于慢应变速率拉伸实验(SSRT),采用恒电流极化、电化学噪声(ECN)与电化学阻抗(EIS)等方法,研究7A04铝合金在3.5%(质量分数)NaCl水溶液中的应力腐蚀开裂(SCC)行为以及Ce~(3+)对其SCC的缓蚀作用,探讨Ce~(3+)对裂纹孕育与发展过程的抑制机理。结果表明:无论是阳极还是阴极极化,均会促进7A04的SCC倾向,前者增加了裂尖的阳极溶解,后者则加速了裂尖的氢脆效应。Ce~(3+)的加入能延缓7A04的SCC断裂时间,但其有效性仅限于裂纹的萌生阶段。由于Ce~(3+)能够抑制铝合金表面的亚稳态点蚀发育和长大,因而使裂纹的孕育时间显著延长,降低了SCC的敏感性。不过一旦裂纹进入扩展阶段或者试样表面有预裂纹,则由于Ce~(3+)很难迁移到裂纹尖端或在裂尖区难以成膜,不能对裂纹的生长起到有效抑制作用,因而无法降低7A04的SCC发展速率。SEM分析表明7A04铝合金光滑试样SCC主要源于亚稳态或稳态点蚀的诱导作用。     

Investigation of caustic stress corrosion cracking of a carbon steel by slow strain rate testing

Abstract

This paper presents results of an experimental investigation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of a carbon steel in a typical synthetic Bayer liquor (SBL), employing a slow strain rate testing (SSRT) technique. Fractographic details of SCC crack propagation of specimens tested in SBL and an inert environment have been compared.     

The role of local strains from prior cold work on stress corrosion cracking of α-brass in Mattsson's solution

The dynamic strain rate ahead of a crack tip formed during stress corrosion cracking (SCC) under a static load is assumed to arise from the crack propagation. The strain surrounding the crack tip would be redistributed as the crack grows, thereby having the effect of dynamic strain. Recently, several studies have shown cold work to cause accelerated crack growth rates during SCC, and the slip-dissolution mechanism has been widely applied to account for this via a supposedly increased crack-tip strain rate in cold worked material. While these interpretations consider cold work as a homogeneous effect, dislocations are generated inhomogeneously within the microstructure during cold work. The presence of grain boundaries results in dislocation pile-ups that cause local strain concentrations. The local strains generated from cold working α-brass by tensile elongation were characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The role of these local strains in SCC was studied by measuring the strain distributions from the same regions of the sample before cold work, after cold work, and after SCC. Though, the cracks did not always initiate or propagate along boundaries with pre-existing local strains from the applied cold work, the local strains surrounding the cracked boundaries had contributions from both the crack propagation and the prior cold work.     

2D modelling of inclined intergranular stress corrosion crack paths

Inclined high pH stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a type of intergranular environmental cracking in gas pipelines, which differs from typical SCC by propagating at an angle from the wall direction. Investigations of Australian and Canadian inclined SCC colonies have not provided a clear indicator of a cause for the abnormal crack growth direction. This paper addresses the possibility of crack tip strain enhanced electrochemistry causing the inclination. Potentiodynamic tests were conducted to quantify the influence of strain on the electrochemistry, and strain was found to increase current density up to 300% in the SCC region. A model was developed that incorporates crack tip strain driven SCC growth, which showed good agreement with field grown cracks, and the aspect ratio of the grains was shown to have an effect on the inclination angle. The results indicate that crack tip strain enhanced electrochemistry is a plausible cause for inclined SCC.     

Critical view on the usage of C-ring specimen for stress corrosion crack (SCC) test on orthopedic implant: Experimental,numerical and analytical approaches

As the failures of orthopedic devices due to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) have become more frequent nowadays, research on this area also has become popular. Many published articles show the basic characterizations and evaluations of the SCC performed based on ASTM standards by using the C-ring sample. This paper discusses stress redistribution during SCC testing. The results show that the stress versus displacement equation presented in the standard is erroneous as the specimen begins to crack. It is only true for a non-cracked specimen. As the crack propagates, the sharpness of the crack tip minimizes the validity of the equation, even when the thickness reduction is taken into account.     

Stress corrosion cracking of Al-Mg-Zn-Cu alloys after precompression

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) experiments have been carried out on double-cantilever-beam (DCB) specimens of 7017-T651 aluminium alloy. The specimens were first subjected to a known compressive load which caused plastic deformation at the notch tip. On unloading, this region developed a residual tensile stress field and on subsequent exposure to moist air at 40° C (95% relative humidity, r.h.), intergranular cracks formed. These cracks grew at a decelerating rate until they stopped. The final crack length increased with the value of the initial compressive preload, provided this was below the value for general yielding of the alloy. Electron fractography has been used to correlate changes in surface morphology with crack growth rate. It was found that ductile tearing of the notch tip may occur during unloading when the compression exceeds — 30kN. The practical importance of these results is outlined.     

Effect of hydrogen on stress corrosion cracking of copper

The effects of hydrogen on electrochemical behavior and susceptibility of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of pure copper were studied. SCC susceptibility of pure copper in a 1 M NaNO₂ solution was increased by pre-charged hydrogen. The effect of hydrogen on the susceptibility is more obvious in the low stress region due to the longer fracture time, which resulted in a longer time for more hydrogen to diffuse toward the crack tip. Synergistic effects of hydrogen and stress on corrosion and SCC processes were discussed. The results showed that an interaction between stress and hydrogen at the crack tip could increase the anodic dissolution rate remarkably.     

Effect of hydrogen on stress corrosion cracking of copper

The effects of hydrogen on electrochemical behavior and susceptibility of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of pure copper were studied. SCC susceptibility of pure copper in a 1 M NaNO₂ solution was increased by pre-charged hydrogen. The effect of hydrogen on the susceptibility is more obvious in the low stress region due to the longer fracture time, which resulted in a longer time for more hydrogen to diffuse toward the crack tip. Synergistic effects of hydrogen and stress on corrosion and SCC processes were discussed. The results showed that an interaction between stress and hydrogen at the crack tip could increase the anodic dissolution rate remarkably.     

敏化处理对Z3CN20-09M不锈钢高温水应力腐蚀的影响

为了研究敏化处理对Z3CN20-09M不锈钢高温水应力腐蚀行为的影响,使用敏化处理的Z3CN20-09M不锈钢制成U弯试样,并置于250、290及320℃的高温水中进行应力腐蚀开裂实验,采用扫描电镜观察了高温水实验后试样的氧化膜厚度以及应力腐蚀裂纹的萌生及扩展行为.结果表明:敏化处理增加了氧化膜的厚度,降低了耐蚀能力,使SCC敏感性增大;温度较高时,敏化处理的影响较大;铁素体相容易被侵蚀,大多数点蚀坑产生于铁素体中;SCC裂纹优先在点蚀坑底部和奥氏体/铁素体相界位置处形成;相界面对SCC裂纹的影响取决于SCC裂纹相对于相界面的取向,SCC裂纹扩展方向平行于相界面时裂纹易沿着相界扩展,SCC裂纹扩展垂直于相界面方向时相界面对裂纹扩展起阻碍作用.     

7055铝合金T型型材的应力腐蚀行为研究

通过拉伸性能测试、C环应力腐蚀试验、金相分析、扫描电镜和透射电镜观察等研究了7055铝合金T型型材的应力腐蚀开裂(SCC)行为.结果表明:7055铝合金T型型材纵向试样的抗拉强度、屈服强度、伸长率及断面收缩率均大于横向试样的;在间浸腐蚀和恒温恒湿环境下,纵向C环试样的开裂时间均长于横向试样的.型材纵向截面晶粒变形特征明...     

The elastic stress fields of elliptic and tapered cracks with predefined shapes

The shape of a tapered crack is more alike cracks in brittle materials than an elliptical crack. The deformation and stress fields for a tapered crack are therefore estimated for hydrostatic pressure and tensional stress by applying the method of complex potentials. The stress fields for the tapered and elliptical cracks are quite similar, which suggests that the elliptical crack can be used as a model for the stress fields for cracks in general. However, the tapered crack has a larger tensional stress at the crack tip, which show that fracture propagation occur at lower applied stresses than for the elliptical crack. A tapered shape of fluid filled fractures can account for their discontinuous propagation. The discontinuous fracture propagation is observed in a large scale by volcanic eruptions where the fracture propagation generates seismic activity.     

A MICRO-MECHANICS MODEL OF CORROSION-FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN STEELS

Principles of Microstructural Fracture Mechanics (MFM) are used to develop a model for the characterization of environment-assisted short fatigue crack growth. Fatigue cracks are invariably initiated at corrosion pits formed at inclusions, hence the analysis includes stress concentration effects at pits that lead to the propagation of fatigue cracks the rates of which are considered to be proportional to the crack tip plastic displacement. This plasticity is constrained by microstructural barriers which are overcome in a non-aggressive environment at critical crack lengths only when the applied stress is higher than the fatigue limit. However, the superposition of an aggressive environment assists fatigue damage via crack tip dissolution, enhancement of crack tip plastic deformation, the introduction of stress concentrations at pits and a reduction of the strength of the microstructural barrier. These environment effects are manifested in a drastic reduction of the fatigue limit and higher crack propagation rates. The model is compared with fatigue crack propagation data of a BS251A58 steel tested in reversed torsion when submerged in a 0.6M NaCl solution.     

Stress corrosion cracking of AISI 321 stainless steel in acidic chloride solution

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of AISI 321 stainless steel in acidic chloride solution was studied by slow strain rate (SSR) technique and fracture mechanics method. The fractured surface was characterized by cleavage fracture. In order to clarify the SCC mechanism, the effects of inhibitor KI on SCC behaviour were also included in this paper. A study showed that the inhibition effects of KI on SCC were mainly attributed to the anodic reaction of the corrosion process. The results of strain distribution in front of the crack tip of the fatigue pre-cracked plate specimens in air, in the blank solution (acidic chloride solution without inhibitor KI) and in the solution added with KI measured by speckle interferometry (SPI) support the unified mechanism of SCC and corrosion fatigue cracking (CFC).