A Generalized Theory of Stress Corrosion of Alloys

Abstract

In the Institute of Metals Division Lecture of 1940, E. H. Dix, Jr.(1) discussed the acceleration of the rate of corrosion by high constant stresses. Experimental data obtained on this subject at the Aluminum Research Laboratories and a theory compatible with these facts were included in that lecture. The present paper contains data and ideas subsequently developed at the Aluminum Research Laboratories.

Stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue

“…This was based upon ideas originally put forward by Dix [132] in the 1940 Institute of Metals Division Lecture. As pointed out by Mears, Brown and Dix [133], "The deeper the attack and the smaller the radius at the base of the path the greater would be the stress concentration. The less continuous localized paths may consist of grain boundary areas which are anodic in respect to the bulk of the grain.…”

“…A theory called the "generalized theory of stress corrosion" [ 133] was proposed by Mears, Brown and Dix of the Aluminium Research Laboratories, USA in 1944. This was based upon ideas originally put forward by Dix [132] in the 1940 Institute of Metals Division Lecture.…”

Mechanism of stress-corrosion cracking in the az31b magnesium alloy

“…This is substan tiated by the fact that a specimeJl s ubj ected to t he conditions describ ed abo ve had 110t fail ed in 20 hI' al though it h ad extended about 0 .04 in . Figure 5 shows the t otal extension and poten tial CUl'ves, for this specim en , plotted against 3 A cylind rical anodc of stainlcss stcel was placed around the inside of tho cell. rrhc ends of t he specimen were masked off with II DUCG Cf'ment" SO ths t only 15 em' of the red uced area of t he speci men was exposed to the eorrodent.…”

Stress-corrosion tests on high-strength aluminum alloy sheet

“…The effect of stress in accelerating corrosion in certain m etals and alloys is well known; it has r ecen tly been shown t hat und er certain conditions stress may increase the damage to aluminum alloys that are exposed in a corrosive medium [8] .…”