On the Stress corrosion cracking behaviour of aluminium alloy sheet in an aqueous solution of 3% NaCl + 0.3% H2O2

Abstract

AbstractThe stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviour of aluminium alloy sheet was investigated in the long transverse direction using the slow strain rate testing technique. The synthetic environment used was an aqueous solution of 3% NaCl + 0.3% H2O2. No indications of SCC sensitivity are observed for the alloys 2024‐T351, 8090‐T81, and 2091 CPHK‐T8X. The alloys 2091 T8X and 6061‐T4 are found to be susceptible to intergranular stress corrosion cracking. At strain rates below 4 · 10−7 s−1, the slow strain rate testing technique indicates a slight SCC sensitivity with alloy 6013‐T6. Fractography reveals transgranular stress corrosion cracking. Transgranular stress corrosion cracking is also observed with 6061‐T4 specimens which are dynamically strained at strain rates below 5 · 10−7 s−1. Aqueous 3% NaCl solution with hydrogen peroxide addition promotes pitting and intergranular corrosion. The loss of ductility caused by these corrosion processes interferes with the evaluation of the results of the slow strain rate testing technique.