Abstract
An analytical method of solution has been developed for the calculation of the variation in the potential in stress corrosion cracks, where there is a simultaneous variation in the corrosion current density with potential along the sides of the crack and a variation in the width of the crack along its length. The solutions have been compared with the predictions of a simpler model, where both the variations of currendensity with potential and the variation of crack width have been neglected, and thecrack width set equal to the width at the crack tip. Under conditions of an applied potential an increase in the crack width along its length decreases the change in potential, and an increase with potential of the current density from the sides of the crack reduces the potential drop. Under free corrosion conditions an increase in the width of the crack towards the crack mouth gives a lower drop in potential than that predicted by the simple model, but an increase in the current density on the sides of the crack gives a further decrease in potential.
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