Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of Fine-Grained Al5083 Alloys Processed by Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP)

In the present study, the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of ECAP Al5083 alloy was investigated in air as well as in 3.5 % NaCl solution using the slow strain rate tensile test (SSRT). The characteristics of grain boundary precipitates (GBPs), specifically the microchemistry of the SCC behavior of Al5083 alloys, both in “as-received” condition and when deformed by the ECAP process, were examined. The correlations between the SCC resistance and GBP microchemistry were examined. A microstructural evaluation was performed using an optical microscope. SCC tests were carried out using a universal tensile testing machine and the fracture surfaces were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A strain rate of 1×10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ was applied for the SSRT. As the passes increased, the SCC susceptibility of the fine-grained ECAP Al5083 alloy also increased. Moreover, higher ultimate tensile strength and greater elongation were observed. This was due to grain refinement, high-density separations, and the expanded extent of high-density dislocations instigated by severe plastic deformation. Due to the high strength and elongation, the failure analysis showed a ductile mode of fracture. Electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) analysis was performed to determine more clearly the nature of cracking. EBSD analysis showed that the crack propagation occurred in both transgranular and intergranular modes.     

Comportement en fatigue-corrosion et corrosion sous contrainte d'alliages de titane sous environnement gazeux a 500 °c

This paper deals with results obtained in fatigue crack propagation at 500 °C in Ti6242 and Ti6246 alloys. Following an analysis of the influence of alloy composition and microstructure, the influence of the gaseous atmosphere is specially studied on the Ti6246 alloy. A corrosion fatigue mechanism is shown to be related to an embrittling effect of water vapour. An additional stress corrosion cracking mechanism is operative for some critical conditions.     

Corrosion sous contrainte de mono et polycristaux d'aciers inoxydables austenitiques en milieu MgCl2: Recherche d'ameliorations du comportement

The fractographic results of stress corrosion cracking of a 316L type austenitic stainless steel in MgCl₂ are in good agreement with the corrosion enhanced plasticity model. Based on the ideas of this model, the research of an improvement of the SCC resistance is attempted. It is shown that a cyclic prehardening can delay the initiation of the first microcracks and decrease the crack propagation velocity.     

Investigation of Glass-Like Sol-Gel Coatings for Corrosion Protection of Stainless Steel Against Liquid and Gaseous Attack

Glass-like sol-gel coatings have been investigated as corrosion protective coatings on stainless steel. Magnesium- and borosilicate coatings with thickness of about 100–700 nm and methyl-modified SiO2 coatings with a thickness of about 2 m were deposited on stainless steel plates by dip-coating. The coatings were densified between 400°C and 500°C in different atmospheres (N2, air) for 1 h. The corrosion protection against gaseous attack was investigated by accelerated corrosion tests, at 800°C in air for 1 h. A corrosion protection factor was calculated from the relation Fe/Fe2O3, determined by XRD on the surface of coated and uncoated samples. Methyl-modified SiO2 coatings showed a protection factor, which was 2 orders of magnitude higher than for the other coatings. Electrochemical investigations were performed on samples submerged in a NaCl solution for 200 h. The corrosion propagation, polarization resistance and impedance vector were measured. For accelerated corrosion tests, polarization intensity curves were determined for high potentials of up to 1 V. Again excellent results were obtained for the methyl-modified SiO2 coatings, which remained passive for 200 h. Results of the salt spray corrosion test, however, showed no corrosion protection by the sol-gel coatings. After 2000 h in the salt spray chamber the steel was corroded and the coatings peeled off. It is concluded that for the further development of these coatings an improved interfacial passivation will be required.     

Detection of SCC of 304 NG stainless steel in an acidic NaCl solution using electrochemical noise based on chaos and wavelet analysis

The stress corrosion crack (SCC) of 304 nuclear grade (NG) stainless steel (SS) in 0.5 mol/L NaCl+1.5 mol/L H₂SO₄ was monitored using electrochemical noise (EN) based on chaos theory, statistics and wavelet analysis. The results indicated that the SCC process was divided into three stages according to the transient features in the EN. In the beginning, compared with the sample without applied stress, the enhanced fluctuation amplitude in the electrochemical current noise (ECN) of the stressed samples was attributed to stress-enhanced pitting corrosion and uniform corrosion; then the fluctuations of ECN for all the samples decreased due to a coverage by the corrosion products; however, the ECN fluctuations of stressed sample were larger than the unstressed sample, suggesting that the stress enhanced the SCC initiation and propagation. Chaos analysis revealed that the correlation dimensions increase from 2.1 to 2.5 during the corrosion process, and the applied stress seems increase the complexity and uncertainty of the ECN signal.     

Fe-Cr-Ni合金碱性SCC的电化学预测方法

应用动电位扫描研究了Fe_Cr_Ni合金 (80 0M)C形环在含硫代硫酸钠杂质的热浓碱溶液中的应力腐蚀破裂 (SCC)行为 .测量了 80 0M合金试片与C形环试样恒电位极化时的稳态溶解电流ist,据此绘制了简化模拟“稳态”恒电位极化曲线 ,并将该极化曲线的ist与低电位下的稳态钝化电流ip之比 (RPD=ist/ip)定义为极化溶解敏感指数 .发现 80 0M合金C形环发生碱性SCC的电位区 (E =- 30～ 4 0mV)处于慢扫阳极极化曲线的钝化区 ,并对应于快扫极化曲线的钝化_过钝化溶解转变区 ;在该敏感电位区 ,试片与C环形试样的ist位于简化的模拟稳态恒电位极化曲线的过钝化区 ,试片与C形环试样两者的极化溶解敏感指数值很接近 (分别为 2 .5 5～ 7.0 3和 2 .5 2～ 6 .0 0 ) .综合稳态溶解电流密度 ,极化溶解敏感指数等有关信息 ,提出了一种碱性SCC的电化学预测方法     

Measurement of concentration of chlorine attached to a stainless-steel canister material using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in the single-pulse or orthogonal double-pulse configuration was performed for the measurement of the concentration of chlorine, which induces the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking (SCC), attached to stainless-steel (UNS S30403). The chlorine spectra were measured for samples sprayed with synthetic seawater with chlorine concentrations from 0.1 to 1.0 g/m². The chlorine emission intensity decreased between chlorine concentrations of 0.4 and 1.0 g/m² as determined in the single-pulse measurement. The chlorine concentration dependence of the chlorine emission intensity in the single-pulse configuration was unchanged even when the laser energy was set between 30 and 100 mJ. On the other hand, the chlorine emission intensity increased linearly versus chlorine concentration from 0.1 to 1.0 g/m² with the orthogonal double-pulse configuration. The results suggest that LIBS is promising for the inspection of the environmental condition for SCC initiation, which can occur when the chlorine concentration is greater than or equal to 0.8 g/m².     

Electrochemical characterization and stress corrosion cracking behavior of α-brass in molybdate-containing electrolytes

One of the major challenges in material design is the achievement of reasonable operational efficiency through understanding the factors affecting the material’s performance particularly strength and service lifetime characteristics. In this work, the electrochemical behavior of 72Cu–28Zn α-brass alloy in Na₂MoO₄-containing electrolytes was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical frequency modulation techniques complemented with scanning electron microscopy. Also, stress corrosion cracking behavior of the alloy under both open-circuit potential and anodic applied potentials, using the slow strain rate technique, was evaluated. The results drawn from the different techniques are comparable.     

Discontinuous crack growth in poly (vinyl fluoride) by mechanochemical ageing in sodium hydroxide

The mechanochemical degradation of poly (vinyl fluoride) (PVDF) was studied in sodium hydroxide solution (soda) in the presence of various gradients of imposed mechanical deformation. Compact tension (CT) and low-necked tensile specimens were used to study ageing in soda (pH 14) at 90 °C during up to 35 days. This made it possible to impose various strain fields during ageing. An image correlation method was used to estimate the displacement fields at the surface of the specimen during the mechanical tests. PVDF degradation in soda usually results in a reddish brown colouring and is essentially localised in the “fairly deformed zones” (30% < ?₁ < 70%). For more important strains (?₁ > 70%), no colouration is observed and the degradation is stopped by limitation of the soda diffusion in the material [1] and [2]. In the presence of an imposed strain field, there is a level of mechanochemical degradation “Stress Corrosion Cracking” (SCC) in soda for which the formation of microcracks is observed within a layer of exposed surface of degraded polymer. Cracking always starts at the border of the zone coloured by chemical degradation. The mechanical deformation in this bordering zone is approximately ?₁ ≈ 30%. The cracking continues via a discontinuous propagation of propagations and crack arrests usually called “stick-slip”. The fracture surfaces are marked by a succession of distinct coloured striations representing a temporary crack arrests characteristic of discontinuous crack growth. Cracking can stop with the elimination of one of the two combined causes of SCC, mechanical or chemical.     

H_2S环境中UNS J91540不锈钢的电化学行为对SCC的影响

应用慢应变速率拉伸试验和电化学方法研究了湿硫化氢溶液中UNS J91450不锈钢的电化学行为对应力腐蚀开裂的影响.结果表明,本实验条件下UNS J91540不锈钢具有较高的SCC敏感性,并随着溶液pH的降低而明显增大.该不锈钢的电化学行为对它的腐蚀开裂(SCC)敏感性具有重要影响.开路电位下该不锈钢的SCC行为同时受氢脆作用和裂纹尖端阳极溶解作用的影响.在pH较低的介质中析氢电流较高而裂纹尖端阳极溶解作用略低,而在pH较高的介质中析氢电流较低而裂纹尖端的阳极溶解作用相对增强.氢脆作用对UNS J91540不锈钢SCC敏感性影响更显著.     

Corrosion fatigue on 2024T3 and 6056T4 aluminum alloys

Fatigue corrosion phenomenon is a form of degradation that is because of the combined occurrence of a mechanical cyclical stress and a corrosive environment. Fatigue corrosion can be an issue in commercial and military aircraft, and has the potential to affect the structural integrity and the useful life of an aerostructure. Although the distinct consequences of both fatigue and corrosion have been extensively documented for aluminum alloys, their synergistic action is not completely understood and continues to be an area of considerable scientific and industrial interest. In this paper, a novel approach is proposed and applied for monitoring the electrochemical behavior of different types of aluminum alloy samples while they are subjected to fatigue loading. Cyclic load experiments were conducted on bare 2024T3 and 6056T4 aluminum alloy samples in the presence of an aggressive aerated solution of 3.5% NaCl over a range of frequencies. The R‐ratio was 0. Two different aluminum alloys have been tested in both high‐ and low‐cycle fatigue. In the former case, the maximum stress experienced by the specimen is lower than the material yield strength, which means that the average expected number of cycles to failure is high; in the latter case, the maximum stress experienced by the specimen during the test is higher than the material yield strength, which means that the average expected number of cycles to failure is low. The open circuit potential(OCP) was monitored versus time during the tests described above. The observed OCP variations are interpreted as the occurrence of corrosion during crack initiation and propagation at the air formed oxide/solution interface film. As expected, there is a more pronounced influence of corrosion at lower fatigue frequencies. Crack propagation allows bulk material to be progressively more exposed to the aggressive environment, which stimulates accelerated crack propagation, resulting in a lower fatigue resistance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ni-W alloy coatings deposited from a citrate electrolyte

Ni-W alloy coatings were deposited by applying current pulses with different pulse parameters at 60°C onto mild steel substrates from aqueous electrolytes with different tungstate concentration. Morphology and composition of the alloys were analyzed by SEM and EDX, respectively. XRD was used to determine metallic phases. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that deposition parameters had a strong effect on the morphology of the coatings. Increasing the duty cycle or decreasing the off time led to a compact morphology. Corrosion properties of the coatings were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization in a chloride medium. It was found that compact morphology of the deposits and high content of tungsten in the coating contribute to satisfactory corrosion results of Ni-W alloy coatings under the conditions studied.     

Materials corrosion in molten LiF-NaF-KF salt

Corrosion tests of high temperature alloys, Hastelloy-N, Hastelloy-X, Haynes-230, Inconel-617, and Incoloy-800H were performed in molten fluoride salt, FLiNaK (LiF-NaF-KF:46.5-11.5-42 mol%) with the goal of understanding the corrosion mechanisms and ranking these alloys for their suitability for molten fluoride salt heat exchanger and thermal storage applications. The tests were performed at 850 °C for 500 h in sealed graphite crucibles under an argon cover gas. Corrosion was noted to occur predominantly by dealloying of Cr from the alloys, an effect that was particularly pronounced at the grain boundaries of these alloys. Weight-loss due to corrosion generally correlated with the initial Cr-content of the alloys, and was consistent with the Cr-content measured in the salts after corrosion tests. Two Cr-free alloys, Ni-201 and Nb-1Zr, were also tested. Ni-201, a nearly pure Ni alloy with minor alloying additions, exhibited good resistance to corrosion, whereas Nb-1Zr alloy exhibited extensive corrosion attack. The graphite crucible may have accelerated the corrosion process by promoting the formation of carbide phases on the walls of the test crucibles, but did not alter the basic corrosion mechanism.     

Stress and Moisture-Sorption in Ozone-Annealed Films of Zirconium Oxide Obtained from Sol-Gel

The stress development in zirconium oxide films prepared by sol-gel and annealed under ozone-enriched oxygen has been investigated. The organic compounds are mostly oxidized at 200°C with ozone and the stress rises up to higher values than the stress in films annealed with pure oxygen between 200 to 400°C. During exposure to humid air of films annealed at 150°C under pure or ozone-enriched oxygen chemical transformations of organic compounds have been observed. The moisture-induced stress change during film exposure to the ambient air also has been investigated. The competition between hydration of ZrO₂, H-bound formation, surface ionization and capillary condensation mechanisms is discussed.     

Corrosion reactions of copper and Ti-Grade 2 in MCC simulated brine

The corrosion reactions of two proposed canister materials, pure copper and Ti-Grade 2 alloy, have been investigated in MCC-1P suggested simulated brine solutions. Test temperatures were 90°C, 150°C and 250°C. The corrosion experiments were conducted under the test procedures of ASTM G1-81, but some modifications of postcleaning procedure were proposed in this study. Experimental results showed that Ti-Grade 2, with an extremely low long-term uniform corrosion rate of 0.1 m·y^–1 proved to be an excellent corrosion-resistance ability. The corrosive behaviors of Ti-Grade 2 can be correlated with semi-logarithmic rate functions. Copper, on the other hand, appeared unfeasible under brine circumstances owing to its higher uniform corrosion rate. Its related corrosive behavior could be described by linear equations. Temperature effects on corrosive behavior correlated efficiently according to the Arrhenius functions, indicating a negative influence on corrosion rates.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of stress corrosion crack (SCC) growth of polyethylene pipes

Degradation of polymers is usually manifested in a reduction of molecular weight, increase of crystallinity in semicrystalline polymers, increase of material density, a subtle increase in yield strength, and a dramatic reduction in toughness. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) results from strongly coupled thermo-mechano-chemical processes, and is sensitive to material composition and morphology. The individual crack propagation stage is critical in determining the lifetime of pipe. Based on author's previous works, crack layer (CL) theory model is adopted in this study to describe the individual stress corrosion (SC) crack propagation kinetics and the time interval from crack initiation to instability and break through. The effect of localized chemical degradation at the crack tip on SC crack growth kinetics is addressed. Typical SC crack growth is presented and discussed as a step-wise manner based on the proposed model. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of failed samples obtained by accelerated SCC tests are applied to validate the proposed model. SEM is useful to identify the change of fracture mechanisms from chemically driven crack to mechanically driven crack by the formation of visible striations. FTIR analysis enables tracking of the accumulation of chemical degradation by detecting the amount of carbonyls on the crack surface. Carbonyl index is defined to compare the amount of chemical degradation quantitatively. The purpose of this paper is to continue to develop the technical theory and understanding behind SCC phenomena to facilitate all polymer pipe industries and in particular the polyethylene pipe industry to design better resins and piping systems.     

Metallurgical factors in stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC)

Nonmetallic inclusions can affect resistance of steels to both general and localized corrosion, including pitting corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC). Because stress corrosion cracks frequently initiate at pits, and pits nucleate at sulfides, the presence of sulfides is likely to affect the SCC process. Nonmetallic inclusions increase susceptibility of steel to HIC, which occurs by the formation of internal hydrogen blisters or blister-like cracks at internal delaminations or at nonmetallic inclusions in low strength materials. HIC occurs when H atoms diffusing through a linepipe steel become trapped and form H₂ molecules at inhomogeneities in the steel. A planar, gas-filled defect is created, which grows parallel to the pipe surface as it continues to trap more diffusing H atoms. If the defect grows sufficiently large, it may develop into a blister. HIC failure occurs if a mechanism exists for linkage of defects or blisters with the internal and external surfaces. The H atom source is normally the cathodic reaction of an acid corrosion mechanism occurring at the internal linepipe surface, i.e., the reduction of hydrogen ions, H⁺: Dedicated to the 85th birthday of John OM. Bockris.     

Effect of Ni on the corrosion behavior of Fe–Al intermetallics in simulated human body fluid

The corrosion behavior of FeAl-type intermetallic alloy in the Hank’s solution has been investigated after additions of 1, 3, and 5 at.% Ni with or without thermal annealing at 400 °C for 144 h. Techniques included potentiodynamic polarization curves, linear polarization resistance, and change of the free corrosion potential with time and electrochemical noise in current. Regardless of the heat treatment, additions of Ni increased both the free corrosion potential and the pitting potential values. Additionally, both the corrosion current and the passive current densities were reduced with this element. The alloys which did not suffer from pitting type of corrosion were the heat-treated FeAL base alloy and the one containing 5Ni. Both additions of Ni and thermal annealing improved the adhesion of external protective layer either by avoiding the formation of voids or by lowering the number of precipitates and making them more homogenously distributed.     

690合金在300 ℃含硫模拟碱性水化学中的腐蚀行为

690 合金作为压水堆核电站蒸汽发生器传热管的一种关键材料, 其在碱性环境下还原态硫导致的钝化膜的腐蚀退化是引发应力腐蚀开裂的关键原因之一. 本文采用动电位极化曲线, 结合扫描电镜(SEM)、俄歇能谱(AES)、二次离子飞行时间质谱(ToF-SIMS)研究了690合金在300 ℃模拟碱性水化学中的腐蚀行为, 并分析了硫代硫酸根与硫酸根对钝化膜特性的影响. 实验结果表明: 300 ℃碱性溶液中690合金表面钝化膜为外层的多孔层与内层的紧密层组成的双层结构, 所加入的硫酸盐种类对690合金的耐蚀性有较大影响; 硫代硫酸根使690合金钝化电流密度增加, 过钝化电位降低, 即钝化膜的耐蚀性降低; 此外, 硫代硫酸根使钝化膜中的Cr含量降低而Ni 含量提高, 硫代硫酸根会在合金表面电化学还原成为更低价态的硫进入钝化膜, 使钝化膜中的硫化物增多也是导致钝化膜防护性能变差的原因; 而硫酸根与钝化膜的作用较弱, 对钝化膜的影响较小.     

Microstructure and corrosion resistance of electrodeposited zinc alloy coatings

A heat treatment effect on the microstructure and corrosion properties of electrodeposited Zn, Zn-Co, Zn-Fe and Zn-Ni alloy coatings was studied. Surface morphology examinations were carried with AFM, while XRD was used to determine metal lattice parameters, texture and phase composition. Low-temperature annealing (at 225 °C) caused the formation of intermetallic Fe/Zn compounds, a transformation of amorphous oxide inclusions to the crystalline form and a decrease in the Zn lattice parameter for Zn-Co and Zn-Fe alloys. The mentioned structural modifications were not accompanied, however, by corrosion behavior changes of these coatings. On the Zn-Ni alloy, the annealing caused a significant reduction in the diffraction peak width and simultaneous considerable augmentation of the corrosion current. This effect is related to the formation of a less disordered lattice for this alloy.Contribution to the 3rd Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, GDASK-SOBIESZEWO, 23–26 APRIL 2003.Dedicated to the memory of Harry B. Mark, Jr. (February 28, 1934–March 3rd, 2003)