Stress corrosion cracking

Stress corrosion cracking is a serious problem in materials science and engineering that can occur when a material is under stress and simultaneously exposed to a corrosive environment. This phenomenon often occurs in metallic materials, especially austenitic stainless steels, aluminum alloys, copper alloys and other corrosion resistant materials.

The mechanism of stress corrosion cracking often begins with the formation of microcracks on the surface of the material. These cracks can be promoted by tensile stresses caused by external loads or internal stresses. In a corrosive environment, the corrosive medium penetrates the cracks and causes a chemical reaction that leads to progressive crack propagation. The combination of mechanical stress and corrosion can cause cracks to propagate rapidly and uncontrollably through the material, which can ultimately lead to failure of the component.

The consequences of stress corrosion cracking can be severe, especially in safety-critical applications such as aerospace, the petrochemical industry and power generation. It is therefore important to take measures to prevent and control this problem. These include selecting suitable materials with high corrosion resistance, minimizing stresses through appropriate design practices, avoiding aggressive environments and applying surface coatings or corrosion protection measures.

The investigation and assessment of stress corrosion cracking often requires complex experimental and analytical techniques, including non-destructive testing methods such as X-ray examination, ultrasonic testing and metallography. A comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon is crucial to ensure the reliability and safety of components and equipment in corrosive environments.