Tag: Stress corrosion cracking

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

Communications: a ‘must-have’ tool for a materials engineer

SSW first had the pleasure of meeting Material and Inspection Specialist Mrs. Sari Musch in September 2015 when visiting the Neste refinery at Porvoo, Finland. There, in the company’s central office, she kindly outlined some of her work related to stainless steels. Two years later, SSW found it high time for a return trip to Finland to catch up with Mrs. Musch and her many and varied projects.

Tackling corrosion in urea processes

An interview with Mr. Kirk Ofei from Stamicarbon, who enjoys working on challenging and interesting projects that test his intelligence and qualifications and increase his knowledge.

Controlling corrosion in Saudi Arabia’s desalination plants

In Saudi Arabia desalination fulfills the most basic need for humanity, providing clean, safe water. The many plants constructed along the eastern and western coasts literally pump life into this arid country. Keeping these plants running and tackling the inevitable corrosion issues that arise from processing seawater is the responsibility of the corrosion department within the Desalination Technologies Research Institute (DTRI).

The evolution of EPC’s in India

The Indian EPC business is growing rapidly at a faster pace than even China’s booming industry. At the same time the level of technical knowledge of materials and equipment is steadily increasing. Stainless Steel World spoke to Mr. Mrinal Das, Senior General Manager, Projects at Jacobs Engineering who has worked on projects in the Indian market for 29 years, about how the industry – and the role of a Project Manager – has evolved.

3D printing for the nuclear industry

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has been selected to lead a USD 2 million additive manufacturing research project. GEH will lead the project by producing sample replacement parts in corrosion resistant alloys for nuclear power plants.

Duplex expansion: obstacles & opportunities

In an article for Stainless Steel World James Chater explained that duplex grades represent a growing sector within the stainless steel industry. However obstacles to its greater use persist, particularly the limited availability of product forms. Oil & gas and desalination are the two industries that consume the largest amount of duplex. Other industries where use may be growing are architecture and transport.

Outokumpu stainless steel strengthens dam locks

Outokumpu has recently delivered duplex stainless steel for the two locks, or spillway gates, in the upgraded Lossendammen dam structure in Central Sweden.

Exova advances new aerospace material

Exova, a global testing group has undertaken a test programme on a new corrosion-resistant stainless steel alloy (CRES) for a consortium of leading aerospace organisations.

Airbus and its partners develop CRES

Airbus partners with Messier Bugatti Dowty, Carpenter Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield, to develop the maturity of a new corrosion-resistant stainless steel alloy known as “CRES” – for future use in the landing gear components.

Sandvik SanicroTM 28 composite tubes for pulp plant

Sandvik Materials Technology supplied its Sandvik Sanicro™ 28 composite tubes to a eucalyptus pulp mill in Uruguay.

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.