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Study of crack initiation phenomena associated with stress corrosion of aluminum alloys
Study of stress corrosion cracks in aluminum alloys reveals that crack initiation is greatly influenced by boundary orientation and directionality of the structure. In all crack susceptible materials, intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking started and progressed in boundaries oriented perpendicularly to the stressing direction.
How irradiation promotes intergranular stress corrosion crack initiation
Irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) is a form of intergranular stress corrosion cracking that occurs in irradiated austenitic alloys. It requires an irradiated microstructure along with high temperature water and stress. The process is ubiquitous in that it occurs in a wide range of austenitic alloys and water chemistries, but only when the alloy is irradiated. Despite evidence of this degradation mode that dates back to the 1960s, the mechanism by which it occurs has remained elusive. Here, using high resolution electron backscattering detection to analyze local stress-strain states, high resolution transmission electron microscopy to identify grain boundary phases at crack tips, and decoupling the roles of stress and grain boundary oxidation, we are able to unfold the complexities of the phenomenon to reveal the mechanism by which IASCC occurs. The significance of the findings impacts the mechanical integrity of core components of both current and advanced nuclear reactor designs worldwide.
Stress Corrosion Cracking of Metals in Propellants
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of a fracture critical metallic material can cause a premature failure if the material is susceptible in the unique service environment. Material fluid compatibility is an area of interest for the current NASA programs leading the human exploration path to Mars. White Sands Test Facility, the agency's lead on hypergolic propellant testing, identifies a lack in stress corrosion cracking susceptibility data for metallic materials in hypergolic propellants. The development of a stress corrosion cracking screening method is necessary to bridge the knowledge gap and enable the community to more confidently select materials for the use in systems containing corrosive fluids.
Seacoast stress corrosion cracking of aluminum alloys
The stress corrosion cracking resistance of high strength, wrought aluminum alloys in a seacoast atmosphere was investigated and the results were compared with those obtained in laboratory tests. Round tensile specimens taken from the short transverse grain direction of aluminum plate and stressed up to 100 percent of their yield strengths were exposed to the seacoast and to alternate immersion in salt water and synthetic seawater. Maximum exposure periods of one year at the seacoast, 0.3 or 0.7 of a month for alternate immersion in salt water, and three months for synthetic seawater were indicated for aluminum alloys to avoid false indications of stress corrosion cracking failure resulting from pitting. Correlation of the results was very good among the three test media using the selected exposure periods. It is concluded that either of the laboratory test media is suitable for evaluating the stress corrosion cracking performance of aluminum alloys in seacoast atmosphere.
Basic mechanisms of stress-corrosion cracking of titanium.
Stress corrosion mechanism of titanium noting experimental conditions, results of chemical analyses, time factor, material resistance to crack formation, etc
Resistance of Some Steels to Stress Corrosion Cracking
Evaluations of stress-corrosion cracking resistance of five high-strength low-alloy steels described in report now available. Steels were heat-treated to various tensile strengths and found to be highly resistant to stress-corrosion cracking.
The relative stress-corrosion-cracking susceptibility of candidate aluminum-lithium alloys for aerospace applications
Stress corrosion tests of Al-Li-Cu powder metallurgy alloys are described. Alloys investigated were Al-2.6% Li-1.4% and Al-2.6% Li-1.4% Cu-1.6% Mg. The base properties of the alloys were characterized. Process, heat treatment, and size/orientational effects on the tensile and fracture behavior were investigated. Metallurgical and electrochemical conditions are identified which provide reproducible and controlled parameters for stress corrosion evaluation. Preliminary stress corrosion test results are reported. Both Al-Li-Cu alloys appear more susceptible to stress corrosion crack initiation than 7075-T6 aluminum, with the magnesium bearing alloy being the most susceptible. Tests to determine the threshold stress intensity for the base and magnesium bearing alloys are underway. Twelve each, bolt loaded DCB type specimens are under test (120 days) and limited crack growth in these precracked specimens has been observed. General corrosion in the aqueous sodium chloride environment is thought to be obscuring results through crack tip blunting.
Controlling stress-corrosion cracking
Report outlines characteristics of stress corrosion and relative resistance of several alloys to stress-corrosion cracking.
Plastic Deformation Processes Accompanying Stress Corrosion Crack Propagation in Irradiated Austenitic Steels
During stress corrosion crack propagation, stress values in the crack tip vicinity often exceed material yield stress limit. Plastic deformation processes may accompany and influence cracking. Here, stress corrosion crack propagation and deformation mechanisms were investigated using EBSD analysis. The investigated material was 304L Ti-enriched austenitic stainless steel irradiated to 10.4 dpa at 320°C in the BOR-60 fast reactor. Crack growth tests were conducted in a simulated Normal Water Chemistry (NWC) environment in the temperature range 288–320 °C using compact tension specimens. By analyzing crack trajectory and grain structure in the crack vicinity, it was established that grain orientation with respect to the acting stress direction was not a key factor controlling crack propagation. No crystallographic orientation susceptible to cracking was identified. Also, EBSD analysis revealed strong inhomogeneity in plastic strain distribution along the crack path. Most crack-adjacent grains remained virtually strain-free whereas few grains experienced strong plastic strain. These areas were presumed to be “plastic bridges” or “ductile ligaments.”
The mechanism of stress corrosion cracking in 7075 aluminum.
Stress corrosion cracking model for 7075 Al, correlating macroscopic yield stress and corrosion time to failure
Stress-corrosion cracking in metals
Criteria and recommended practices for preventing stress-corrosion cracking from impairing the structural integrity and flightworthiness of space vehicles are presented. The important variables affecting stress-corrosion cracking are considered to be the environment, including time and temperature; metal composition, and structure; and sustained tensile stress. For designing spacecraft structures that are free of stress-corrosion cracking for the service life of the vehicle the following rules apply: (1) identification and control of the environments to which the structure will be exposed during construction, storage, transportation, and use; (2) selection of alloy compositions and tempers which are resistant to stress-corrosion cracking in the identified environment; (3) control of fabrication and other processes which may introduce residual tensile stresses or damage the material; (4) limitation of the combined residual and applied tensile stresses to below the threshold stress level for the onset of cracking throughout the service life of the vehicle; and (5) establishment of a thorough inspection program.
Electrochemical aspects of titanium stress corrosion cracking.
Titanium alloys stress corrosion cracking in presence of chloride, bromide and iodide under potentiostatic conditions, postulating electrochemical kinetic and mass transport model
Flaw growth of 7075, 7475, 7050 and 7049 aluminum alloy plate in stress corrosion environments
Marine atmosphere and laboratory stress corrosion test results on smooth and precracked specimens from 7075, 7475, 7050, and 7049 alloy plates (1.25 and 3.0-in. thick) are presented. It is shown that for a given strength level, alloys 7050-T7X and 7049-T7X have superior short-transverse stress corrosion resistance (SCR) to 7X75-T7X. At typical strength levels above the minimum, for example, SCR of these alloys is considerably better than that of 7075-T76, and approaches that of 7075-T73. Alloy 7475 maintains an advantage in the area of fracture toughness, however, because it can be thermally processed to give particularly clean microstructures. Results from precracked specimens are in good qualitative agreement with those obtained from smooth specimens. Although both specimen types are capable of distinguishing between -T6, -T76 and -T73 tempers in relatively short time periods the precracked specimen provides more information about crack growth rates.
A case history of titanium stress corrosion in nitrogen tetroxide.
Ti stress corrosion in nitrogen tetroxide, detailing investigative techniques
Stress corrosion cracking of titanium alloys.
Stress corrosion cracking of titanium alloys, noting tensile test data, crack propagation in salt solution and in pure solvents and metallurgical and electrochemical factors