On the theory of stress-assisted diffusion, II

Abstract

Similarity and general steady-state solutions of a recently developed strees-assisted diffusion theory are derived. General transient solutions are obtained analytically for certain classes of stress distributions. For general stress distributions a perturbation method is employed to produce transient solutions. Under appropriate conditions the derived solutions are reduced to previous formulae that have unsystematically appeared in the literature. Examples of interesting crack problems involving stress singularities as well as the elimination of singularities are considered. An equilibrium solution is utilized together with a straightforward physical argument to produce rationally two empirical formulae previously proposed in the literature to model embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking phenomena. This solution is further used to model embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking data more successfully than previous attempts. An appendix on certain preliminary elastodiffusive fracture criteria is given.