The initiation of stress-corrosion cracks in austenitic stainless steels in hot chloride solutions, hot oxygenated water, and room-temperature acid solutions has been examined. The initiation processes have been characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Corrosion crevices consisting of Cr-rich corrosion sponge have been found in all the systems studied. The electrochemical reactions of corrosion-sponge formation are clarified. Some effects of the underlying metallurgical structure on corrosion-crevice morphology are also presented. Finally, the differences between the crack initiation and propagation stages are discussed.
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