Metallurgical Consultants

Stress corrosion cracking is a failure mechanism that is caused by environment, susceptible material, and tensile stress. Temperature is a significant environmental factor affecting cracking.

For stress corrosion cracking to occur all three conditions must be met simultaneously. The component needs to be in a particular crack promoting environment, the component must be made of a susceptible material, and there must be tensile stresses above some minimum threshold value. An externally applied load is not required as the tensile stresses may be due to residual stresses in the material. The threshold stresses are commonly below the yield stress of the material.

Stress Corrosion Cracking Failures

Stress corrosion cracking is an insidious type of failure as it can occur without an externally applied load or at loads significantly below yield stress. Thus, catastrophic failure can occur without significant deformation or obvious deterioration of the component. Pitting is commonly associated with stress corrosion cracking phenomena.

Aluminum and stainless steel are well known for stress corrosion cracking problems. However, all metals are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking in the right environment.

Controlling Stress Corrosion Cracking

There are several methods to prevent stress corrosion cracking. One common method is proper selection of the appropriate material. A second method is to remove the chemical species that promotes cracking. Another method is to change the manufacturing process or design to reduce the tensile stresses. AMC can provide engineering expertise to prevent or reduce the likelihood of stress corrosion cracking in your components.

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Stress Corrosion Cracking

Stress Corrosion Cracking Failures

Controlling Stress Corrosion Cracking

Contact Information

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Copyright © 1999 Metallurgical Consultants
Last modified: September 11, 2007