SEDL / STP / STP425-EB / STP46462S

Reactions Contributing to the Formation of Susceptible Paths for Stress Corrosion Cracking

Vaughan, D. A.
Associate chief and metallurgist, Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio

Phalen, D. I.
Associate chief and metallurgist, Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio

Pages: 19    Published: Jan 1967

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Abstract

Reactions between austenitic steels, martensitic steels, and ternary aluminum alloys have been investigated by optical and electron microscopy and by X-ray diffraction to evaluate metal-atomic hydrogen reactions as potential methods of generating susceptible paths for stress corrosion cracking of these materials. Significant structural changes are observed to result from cathodic charging treatments which have been compared with those that occur during stress corrosion. However, the reaction products are shown to be highly anodic to the uncharged metal and thus are very infrequently, if ever, observed in stress corrosion cracks. The mechanisms by which susceptible paths may be generated in stress corrosion cracking tests of these metals are discussed in terms of the observed metal-hydrogen reaction. Structural characteristics of these metals are shown to be contributing factors in the formation of these paths.