An improved taxonomy (systematic nomenclature) is proposed for environmentally induced cracking in aqueous systems. This improved taxonomy reduces the number of named environmentally induced cracking phenomena from more than 25 to just 7, and places these in relationship to each other, to cracking phenomena that are independent of environmental factors, and to corrosion processes that are independent of stress.

This improved taxonomy is designed to reduce the confusion inherent in the current post hoc nomenclature and to facilitate predictive or anticipatory consideration for the potential for cracking phenomena in materials, equipment, and structures.