A quantified concept of the hydrogen permeability of passivating films at a crack tip during stress corrosion cracking of structural materials

Abstract

AbstractA general theoretical and methodological approach to local dissolution and hydrogen embrittlement contributions to stress corrosion cracking in various structural materials is discussed. According to this approach a quantified determination of the hydrogen embrittlement contribution to stress corrosion cracking in high‐strength steels, titanium, aluminium, and zirconium, and zirconium alloys appears to be possible. On the basis of a few postulates, a quantitative concept of hydrogen permeability of the passivating film at the tip of a crack in the metal is developed; this concept allows for the first time a quantified determination of the relationship between critical hydrogen concentration and stress intensity factor in steels, titanium, and aluminium, and aluminium alloys under hydrogen embrittlement. Two new methods for studying adsorption processes at the tip of a growing crack during stress corrosion cracking are an additional outflow of this concept.