Stress corrosion cracking of α–β brass in chloride containing waters

Abstract

Slow straining of an α–β brass in aqueous solutions with various concentrations of chloride ion has been used to ascertain the effects of potential, pH, and chloride content on the susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking. The ductility is at a minimum with 55 ppm Cl present and increases at higher concentrations, where dezincification effects become more significant. Anodic polarization increases the ductility loss but the effects are again complicated at high potentials by greater dezincification. The strqjn rate dependence of the embrittlement results in a ductility minimum at 2 × 10⁻⁶. The results are assessed in terms of various cracking mechanisms but seem to be most consistent with a mechanism involving the rupture of a surfacefilm of CU₂O that forms on the alloy in the critical potential range.