New insights into the stress corrosion cracking of carbon steel in ethanolic media

Potentiostatic slow strain rate testing was conducted on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) test specimens exposed to ethanolic environments prepared from pure dehydrated ethanol. The mechanism of SCC in such environments is not well-understood. Cracks of various types—intergranular and transgranular open cracks, and sharp closed transgranular cracks—were found by altering several testing parameters. The presence of chloride was found to be essential for crack initiation. A scanning electron microscope examination indicated that an “anodic” cracking mechanism, not necessarily slip dissolution, was most likely operating at high elongations. Sharp, closed transgranular cracks, with a maximum depth of 4 µm, were detected at elongations below 3% in ethanol solutions containing 2.5-mM LiCl. A focused ion beam was used to extract such a transgranular crack tip for analytical transmission electron microscopy using electron energy loss spectroscopy, which confirmed that the crack was in a ferrite grain. The sharp closed transgranular cracks seem to ally with the cracks observed in CO–CO₂–H₂O and anhydrous ammonia environments, which are proposed to grow by unique cleavage mechanisms. The possibility of embrittlement by carbon interstitials produced by ethanol electro-oxidation within the crack is discussed.     

Electrochemical techniques for monitoring stress corrosion cracking of Type 40Cr steel in acidified chloride solution

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） and electrochemical noise （EN） techniques were used to detect stress corrosion cracking （SCC） on 40Cr steel specimens exposed to the acidified chloride solution at ambient. To test these two techniques, slow strain rate tensile （SSRT） tests were performed with 40Cr specimen in the identical corrosive solution at room temperature. In impedance measurements, phase shifts in frequency range from 1 to 1 000 Hz show a clear difference between the stressed and non-stressed specimens, suggesting that stress corrosion cracks are detected by the impedance measurements. EN signals in the process of SCC were recorded and then analyzed by standard deviation （STD）. On the other hand, the mechanical properties, such as maximum tensile strength （MTS） and fracture strain （FS） measured by the SSRT, decrease significantly when the specimens are exposed to the corrosive solution relative to that in an inert medium. The SSRT results are consistent with fractography of the tested specimens by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. Analysis of the fracture surface clearly shows intergranular attack, suggesting that stress corrosion cracks are formed.     

Amine corrosion and amine cracking of API 5L X52 carbon steel in the presence of hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide

In this research, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and corrosion behaviour of API 5L X52 carbon steel in 25?wt-% diethanolamine solution, saturated/unsaturated with carbon dioxide and containing 0 and 200?ppm hydrogen sulphide at different temperatures were investigated using slow strain rate test, electrochemical measurement and microscopic analysis. In addition, the presence of heat stable amine salts (HSASs) in the test solution was studied using spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Analysis of the results showed that the primary components to form HSASs exist in the solution. The results indicated that SCC is more likely in solutions without amine. Increase in corrosion rate of carbon steel by increase in temperature was clearly observed and concluded that the simultaneous presence of hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide in the solution can increase the corrosion rate of carbon steel more than having one of the gases in the solution.     

Stress corrosion cracking of microalloyed pipeline steel in biofuels E-10 and E-85

This paper evaluates the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) effect in gasohol E-10 and E-85 of X-70 experimental Ni-microalloyed steel, with different aging treatments (4–12?h at 600°C). The tension tests show that for all treatment periods, the samples tensile strength and elongation increase, with the largest increment exhibited by the samples undergoing 4 and 6?h of aging treatment. Microstructural analysis showed that the microstructure remains unchanged, the increase in tensile strength in the steel is directly related to the precipitation kinetics. The slow strain rate test (SSRT) shows that the steel under all conditions presents no susceptibility to SCC, thus reducing the area ranging from 83% to 90%, with predominantly ductile fractures. The results of the polarisation tests showed no signs of pitting corrosion, as well as a low corrosion rate for both media under study.     

Optimization of corrosion protection potential for stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement of 5083-H112 alloy in seawater

We report on the optimum corrosion protection potential range for stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement of 5083-H112 Al alloy specimens using electrochemical methods and slow strain rate testing (SSRT) in seawater. In the results of the cathodic polarization curve, the concentration polarization due to dissolved oxygen reduction reaction correspondeds to a protection potential of OCP≈ −1.55 V. However, a potential of −1.2 V in the SSRT showed little effect of atomic hydrogen evolution. Potentials less than −1.6 V are affected by atomic and molecular hydrogen. We thus concluded that the effect of atomic hydrogen predominates. Overall, the optimum corrosion protection range for SCC and hydrogen embrittlement of 5083-H112 seems to be between −0.9 V and −0.7 V.     

Sulfate‐reducing bacteria‐assisted hydrogen‐induced stress cracking of 2205 duplex stainless steels

The paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation of the microbiologically assisted hydrogen‐induced stress cracking (HISC) of 2,205 duplex stainless steel (DSS). The testing of susceptibility toward HISC was performed with two different methods. Precharged in sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB), inoculated medium samples were subjected to slow strain‐rate testing in artificial seawater. In situ constant load tests were performed directly in SRB‐inoculated medium under hydrogen charging at 70% of the ultimate tensile strength. Samples tested in the biotic (SRB) conditions showed a considerable loss of ductility as compared to those tested in sterile conditions. Quantitative characteristics of fracture surfaces indicated increased susceptibility to HISC of biotic samples, therefore, suggesting a role of SRB in promoting hydrogen damage of DSS.     

Effect of Gd on microstructure and stress corrosion cracking of the AZ91-extruded magnesium alloy

AZ91 and AZ91–xGd (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 wt%) magnesium alloys are extruded into plates. The addition of Gd promotes the formation of Al₂Gd, effectively reducing the volume fraction of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase and making the banded structures of the extruded magnesium alloys thinner. The corrosion weight loss tests and electrochemistry analyses demonstrate that Gd significantly improves the pitting resistance of the AZ91 in 3.5-wt% NaCl solution saturated with Mg(OH)₂. Slow strain rate tensile tests show that in a corrosive environment, compared with AZ91, the elongation to failure of the AZ91–1.0Gd alloy is increased by 47%, and the alloy exhibits excellent stress corrosion resistance in this study. The fracture mode of AZ91 is changed from typical intergranular fracture to a mixture of transgranular and intergranular fracture in the corrosion solution by adding Gd. The mechanism of Gd to improve the stress corrosion resistance of the AZ91 magnesium alloy is that Gd increases the corrosion resistance, especially the pitting of AZ91.     

堆内构件304L焊接件在除氧和氯离子环境中的应力腐蚀开裂研究

采用高温高压慢应变速率拉伸试验方法(SSRT),研究了在除氧环境下不同浓度氯离子对304L焊接件在模拟一回路高温高压硼锂水介质中氯致应力腐蚀开裂的影响。结果表明:当氯离子浓度为1 mg/L时,其各项力学性能指标与惰性氮气空白样一致,表明在低浓度氯离子除氧条件下,304L焊接件没有应力腐蚀敏感性。随着氯离子含量(1~50mg/L)的增加,304L焊接件应力腐蚀敏感指数变化呈增加趋势。断口侧面没有观察到明显的裂纹,氯离子浓度越低,断口缩颈现象越明显,表明主要是机械断裂。氯离子浓度较高时,棱角部分出现微裂纹源,可能与棱角部分应力更为集中相关。所有样品的断裂位置都在焊缝和热影响区,在焊缝和热影响区发生了巨大的形变,离断口越近,变形越严重。焊接部位是304L堆内构件中薄弱环节,应该成为应力腐蚀开裂和其他性能检测的重点部位。     

Stress corrosion cracking of A588 steel weldments in flue gas related environments

This study investigated stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of A588 steel welds as determined by U-bend immersion tests and slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) tests to evaluate the steel’s cracking susceptibility in various regions of the weldments. The immersion test results indicated that the fusion zone (FZ) had better corrosion resistance than the other regions in the weld. It was also demonstrated that the columnar grain boundaries exhibited a higher resistance to corrosion than the grain interior of the FZ. However, the coarse elongated ferrite in the FZ is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement (HE), which results in the formation of microcracks. As a result, a severe degradation of the weld’s tensile properties in the saturated H₂S solution was observed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) fractographs of tensile specimens reveal a cleavage fracture in the coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) and featherlike rupture in the FZ, both indicating a high sensitivity to HE.     

应变速率对X80管线钢在库尔勒土壤环境中应力腐蚀开裂的影响

利用慢应变速率拉伸试验(SSRT)、动电位扫描及扫描电镜(SEM)技术研究了X80管线钢在库尔勒模拟溶液中应力腐蚀开裂(SCC)行为.结果表明,随着应变速率的增加,X80管线钢在模拟溶液中的腐蚀速率先增大后减小.当应变速率为5×10-7/s时,试样腐蚀较为缓慢,此过程电化学腐蚀起决定性作用;当应变速率为5×10-6/s时,试样的腐蚀情况最为严重,此时力学作用占主导地位.     

热处理对X80管线钢在模拟海水中应力腐蚀的影响

利用电化学工作站测试了经不同工艺热处理后X80钢在海水模拟液中的极化曲线,并采用慢应变拉伸试验（SSRT）对其在模拟海水环境中进行了应力腐蚀试验。用扫描电镜（SEM）观察试样的断口形貌,并结合腐蚀试验结果分析在模拟海水环境中X80钢的应力腐蚀开裂机理。极化曲线表明未经过热处理的X80钢耐蚀性最差,腐蚀电流密度最大,热处理有效改善了钢样在模拟海水中的耐蚀性能,在回火温度为650 ℃时,腐蚀电流密度最小;SSRT试验结果表明,热处理后试样的断裂强度和伸长率增加,说明应力腐蚀开裂敏感性降低,并且回火温度越高,应力腐蚀开裂敏感性越低;电镜扫描结果显示经热处理后的试样断口出现了韧性断裂特征,宏观断口出现颈缩,微观上也可以观察到韧窝。     

热处理对2519铝合金应力腐蚀开裂敏感性的影响

通过慢应变速率拉伸测试、扫描电镜及透射电镜分析等研究了2519铝合金在T6、T8热处理状态下,在空气和3.5%(质量分数)的NaCl溶液中的应力腐蚀开裂(SCC)行为,研究了应变速率对2519铝合金SCC行为的影响。结果表明:同一热处理状态下,2519铝合金在3.5%的NaCl溶液中应力腐蚀开裂敏感性高于干燥空气中;在应变速率为1.33×10-5s-1时,其SCC敏感性比应变速率为6.66×10-5s-1时的敏感性大;同一应变速率下,T6状态比T8状态SCC敏感性大,T8状态时抗应力腐蚀性能比T6状态时好。     

Effect of pre-deformation on the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of aluminum alloy 2519

The effects of pre-deformation and strain rate on the stress corrosion cracking （SCC） behavior of aluminum alloy 2519 in air and in 3.5% NaCI water solution were investigated by means of slow strain rate tension （SSRT）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The results indicate that the alloy is susceptible to SCC in 3.5% NaCI water solution and not in air. At the same pre-deformation, the alloy is more susceptible to SCC at 1.33 × 10^-5 s^-1 than at 6.66 × 10^-5 s^-1. Moreover, it is more susceptible to SCC at free pre-deformation than at 10% pre-deformation at the same strain rate. The number of 0 precipitated along the grain boundaries is reduced and distributed discontinuously, at the same time, the precipitate-free zones （PFZ） become narrow and the susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking is reduced after 10% pre-deformation.     

300M超高强钢在中性盐雾环境中的腐蚀行为及机制

采用双悬臂（DCB）试样和恒载荷拉伸应力腐蚀试验,研究环境介质及充氢时间对40CrNi2Si2MoVA超高强度钢应力腐蚀行为的影响作用。结果表明：40CrNi2Si2MoVA钢DCB试样在不同溶液介质中产生的应力腐蚀裂纹易在预制裂纹尖端出现分叉,且在生长过程中与预制裂纹轴线方向的夹角不断增大,最后趋近垂直于预制裂纹;Cl⁻比SO₄²⁻对40CrNi2Si2MoVA钢应力腐蚀的影响更大,能更加明显地加速裂纹的萌生扩展;随充氢时间的增加,40CrNi2Si2MoVA钢断裂时间缩短,材料的塑性降低、脆性增加,断裂逐渐由韧性断裂转变为脆性断裂。     

Stress corrosion cracking of explosion welded steel‐aluminum joints

The article presents the test results of stress corrosion resistance of explosion welded steel‐aluminum elements. The tests were carried out by means of the slow strain rate test (10^?6 s^?1) in air and artificial sea water. The following parameters were measured: tensile strength, time‐to‐failure and destructive energy. The tested explosion welded joints show susceptibility to degradation of properties in the corrosive environment. Galvanic corrosion is the main reason of degradation of the measured values. Another mechanism of explosion welded joints' destruction was found in air and artificial sea water. The tests of the explosion welded elements in the fast flow of sea water showed substantial galvanic corrosion.     

热矫正次数对7N01铝合金应力腐蚀开裂的影响

采用慢应变速率拉伸试验(SSRT)和透射电镜(TEM)测试分析方法研究了热矫正次数对7N01-T5铝合金应力腐蚀敏感性的影响。结果表明:随着热矫正次数的增加,7N01-T5铝合金应力腐蚀敏感性增加。原因主要在于晶界析出相的转变以及溶质元素Zn和Mg从基体向晶界的不断扩散。基于非平衡偏聚理论可知,三次热矫正的等效恒温时间小于临界时间t_c。因此,随着热矫正次数的增加,晶界处Zn和Mg元素含量逐渐增加,增大了晶界与基体间的腐蚀电位差,使7N01-T5铝合金应力腐蚀敏感性增加。     

AZ31镁合金激光焊件的力学性能和应力腐蚀行为

采用Nd-YAG激光对AZ31 HP镁合金进行激光自熔焊接。显微组织分析表明,使用或不使用填料（焊料）AZ61镁合金得到的激光焊接接头的平均晶粒尺寸大约为12μm,显微硬度和拉伸强度与母材相近。然而,慢应变速率拉伸表明,在ASTM D1384溶液中两种焊接接头的抗应力腐蚀性能比母材略差。可观察到应力腐蚀裂纹在焊缝金属萌生并向热影响区（HAZ）扩展。然而,在以AZ61镁合金为填料（焊料）获得的焊接接头中,观察到裂纹起源及扩展出现在热影响区（HAZ）。在慢应变速率拉伸试验中,由于试样表面暴露在腐蚀环境中,在氢氧化镁/氧化镁层形成局部损伤,从而导致应力腐蚀裂纹的生成。