Stress Corrosion Cracking and Hydrogen Embrittlement of High-Strength Fasteners

Abstract

Unexpected, brittle failures of high-strength fasteners on aerospace vehicles have been caused by stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and by hydrogen stress cracking (HSC). Despite extensive study, much remains to be learned about the phenomena. The poorly understood failure mechanisms are difficult to differentiate, especially in the field. There is a growing use of the term SCC to describe failure by both mechanisms. Data are given to characterize the classes. For low alloy carbon steels heat-treated to yield strengths below approximately 160 ksi, stress corrosion is not a problem, nor is hydrogen embrittlement (delayed cracking) very common. Above 160 ksi, difficulties can occur. The high-strength, precipitation-hardening, stainless steels have varying degrees of resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement, depending upon strength level and heat-treating procedures that influence the microstructure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 1973
Accession Number
AD0758754

Entities

People

  • James K. Stanley

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Ferrium
  • Heat Treatment
  • Hydrogen Embrittlement
  • Materials
  • Materials Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanical Working
  • Mechanics
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Solid Solutions
  • Stress Corrosion Cracking
  • Tensile Strength

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space