What is stress corrosion cracking?
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a phenomenon where the combination of tensile stress and a corrosive environment leads to the formation of cracks in a material. It typically occurs in metals and alloys and can weaken structural integrity. SCC is often found in industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing and nuclear power. The cracking process is influenced by factors such as material composition, applied stress levels, and the specific corrosive environment present.
News on stress corrosion cracking
Below you can find a selection of news and articles related to stress corrosion cracking in stainless steels. If you wish to contribute with your case study on stress corrosion cracking, please contact the Stainless Steel World editor
Technology licensors in the fertiliser industry compete to design ever-larger urea plants with increased capacity. These plants require materials capable of withstanding the production...
Sandvik has won a contract to supply seamless coiled tubing made from its SAF 2507®super duplex stainless steel to a geothermal plant in Central America.
Steam turbines are used across the world as a source of power for many different industries. Even with the best maintenance procedures and preventative maintenance techniques, problems can still arise. Resolving one of the more serious issues, that of stress corrosion cracking, can often be achieved in a straightforward manner by accurately identifying the causes.
Ferrium® M54™, an ultra-high-strength, high-toughness steel designed by QuesTek Innovations LLC, has been issued Aerospace Material Specification 6516 by SAE International. The steel is also highly resistant to Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC).
RathGibson, a manufacturer of welded, welded and drawn, and seamless stainless steel, nickel, and titanium tubing, now has the capability to control the residual stress levels in U-Bend tubing for Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) alloys used in SCC environments.
Sandvik Materials Technology's duplex stainless steel grade, Sandvik SAF 2205, is being used for wire springs in electrical contact systems on railway locomotives.
NACE International announces NACE Standard RP0170-2004, "Protection of Austenitic Stainless Steels and Other Austenitic Alloys from Polythionic Acid Stress Corrosion Cracking During Shutdown of Refinery Equipment," a revised standard developed by NACE Task Group 173.
The high-pressure vessels in the new Assaluyeh urea production plant in Iran are being constructed in Sandvik Material Technology's recently developed Sandvik SafurexTM steel grade.
Advanced Metals International Group, the leading multi-metal stockholder/supplier and metal processor, announce the availability of new high performance strands and wire ropes for industrial, marine and chemical environments.
The dangers of SCC
Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a complex and potentially catastrophic phenomenon that occurs when a combination of tensile stress, a corrosive environment, and a susceptible material interact. Unlike traditional corrosion, which is a gradual and uniform degradation of a material, stress corrosion cracking involves the formation and propagation of cracks, often leading to sudden failure.
Stress corrosion cracking commonly affects metals and alloys, such as stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and nickel-based alloys. It can occur in various industries, including oil and gas, chemical processing, aerospace, marine, and nuclear power.
The specific mechanisms behind stress corrosion cracking are complex but certain conditions are known to promote its occurrence. These include the presence of a corrosive environment (e.g., chloride ions in aqueous solutions), applied tensile stress, and material susceptibility. The combination of these factors leads to crack initiation, propagation, and eventual failure.
Cracks associated with stress corrosion failure can develop in different patterns, such as intergranular, transgranular, or a combination of both. The cracks may follow grain boundaries or propagate through the grains of the material. Stress corrosion is often difficult to detect because it can occur internally, hidden from visual inspection.
Can you prevent stress corrosion cracking?
Preventing stress corrosion cracking involves understanding and controlling the factors that contribute to its initiation. Strategies include material selection, minimizing tensile stress levels, applying protective coatings, utilizing corrosion inhibitors, and maintaining appropriate environmental conditions. Regular inspections, non-destructive testing, and monitoring are crucial to identifying early signs of stress corrosion cracking and preventing catastrophic failures.
