The inhibition of stress corrosion cracking of stainless steels in chloride solutions

The inhibition of s.c.c. n AISI 316S stainless steel in 2N HCl by aromatic and heterocyclic substances has been studied. The evaluation of the inhibitors in reducing the s.c.c. of U-bend specimens has been carried out by micrographic measurements.The determination of anodic and cathooic polarization curves shows that the inhibiting action on s.c.c. is related to the effect of the organic compounds on the anodic dissolution process of the metal. An interpretation of s.c.c. in the chloride solutions is hypothesized involving an adsorbed layer of chloride ions. Tests performed with scratched electrodes seem to confirm the proposed interpretation.