Stress-corrosion Cracking of Aluminum Alloys

Book excerpt: This report deals with the stress-corrosion cracking of aluminum alloys, and it represents an effort by DMIC to expand on the information contained in DMIC Memorandum 202, 'Stress-Corrosion Cracking of Aluminum Alloys', dated February 15, 1965. DMIC Report 228 begins by presenting a comprehensive definition of stress-corrosion cracking. This is followed by sections dealing with (1) the historical development and growth in awareness of the problem, (2) the mechanisms involved, and (3) the theory of stress-corrosion cracking. A section on experimental techniques is presented. These techniques include test methods used to determine the susceptibility of alloys to stress-corrosion cracking, as well as more refined methods of studying the fundamental mechanisms of the problem. Different evaluation methods, applicable to obtaining the different objectives of stress-corrosion testing, are also presented. All of the foregoing serve as background to the sections on stress-corrosion-cracking behavior of aluminum alloys and preventive measures. (Author).