Temperature stress corrosion cracking

In other words, a K". Equation (17) was derived by the elastic stress field, Eqn. (3), and the fracture criteria, Eqns. (13) and (14). This analogy between a and Kj is similar to the ambient temperature stress-corrosion cracking situation wherein the elastic -field governs the crack tip stresses. 

R. Bandy, R. Roberge, R.C. Newman, Low-temperature stress corrosion cracking of sensitized Inconel 600 in tetrathionate and thiosulfate solutions. Corrosion 39 (1983) 391-398. 

Stainless steel alloys show exceUent corrosion resistance to HCl gas up to a temperature of 400°C. However, these are normally not recommended for process equipment owing to stress corrosion cracking during periods of cooling and shut down. The corrosion rate of Monel is similar to that of mild steel. Pure (99.6%) nickel and high nickel alloys such as Inconel 600 can be used for operation at temperatures up to 525°C where the corrosion rate is reported to be about 0.08 cm/yr (see Nickel and nickel alloys). 

Titanium is resistant to nitric acid from 65 to 90 wt % and ddute acid below 10 wt %. It is subject to stress—corrosion cracking for concentrations above 90 wt % and, because of the potential for a pyrophoric reaction, is not used in red filming acid service. Tantalum exhibits good corrosion resistance to nitric acid over a wide range of concentrations and temperatures. It is expensive and typically not used in conditions where other materials provide acceptable service. Tantalum is most commonly used in appHcations where the nitric acid is close to or above its normal boiling point. 

Materials of Construction. GeneraHy, carbon steel is satisfactory as a material of construction when handling propylene, chlorine, HCl, and chlorinated hydrocarbons at low temperatures (below 100°C) in the absence of water. Nickel-based aHoys are chiefly used in the reaction area where resistance to chlorine and HCl at elevated temperatures is required (39). Elastomer-lined equipment, usuaHy PTFE or Kynar, is typicaHy used when water and HCl or chlorine are present together, such as adsorption of HCl in water, since corrosion of most metals is excessive. Stainless steels are to be avoided in locations exposed to inorganic chlorides, as stainless steels can be subject to chloride stress-corrosion cracking. Contact with aluminum should be avoided under aH circumstances because of potential undesirable reactivity problems. 

Conditions that favor dezincification include stagnant solutions, especially acidic ones, high temperatures, and porous scale formation (2). Additions of small amounts of arsenic, antimony, or phosphoms can increase the resistance to dezincification. These elements are, however, not entirely effective in preventing the dezincification of the two-phase (cc—P) brasses because dezincification of the P-phase is not prevented (31). Another area of corrosion concern involves appHed or residual stresses from fabrication that can lead to EIC of brasses in the form of stress-corrosion cracking. 

Fig. 2-17 Relation between the time to failure by intergranular stress corrosion cracking and potential for tensile specimens of soft iron (a) boiling 55% Ca(N03)2 solution, 5 = 0.65 R a = 0.90 R (b) 33% NaOH, a = 300 N mm, at various temperatures.

L Low <5 mpy, for all concentrations and temperatures 50 mpy see Induces stress corrosion cracking... 

Tensile strength diminishes rapidly with increasing temperature above 200°C. The high-magnesium alloys N5, N6 and N8 should not be used above 65°C because higher temperatures make them susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. 

High-density polyethylene is very susceptible to environmental stress corrosion cracking, especially if used at the high end of the temperature range. 

Temperature is an important parameter for safety. At extreme temperatures, tlie risk of metal fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, and vessel rupture increases dramatically. 

The corrodent is a liquid metal in this form of stress corrosion cracking. Mercury at ambient temperature and metals including zinc (from galvanized steel-work) and copper (from electric cables) when melted during welding or in a fire cause rapid failure of certain metals. 

Steel is the most common constructional material, and is used wherever corrosion rates are acceptable and product contamination by iron pick-up is not important. For processes at low or high pH, where iron pick-up must be avoided or where corrosive species such as dissolved gases are present, stainless steels are often employed. Stainless steels suffer various forms of corrosion, as described in Section 53.5.2. As the corrosivity of the environment increases, the more alloyed grades of stainless steel can be selected. At temperatures in excess of 60°C, in the presence of chloride ions, stress corrosion cracking presents the most serious threat to austenitic stainless steels. Duplex stainless steels, ferritic stainless steels and nickel alloys are very resistant to this form of attack. For more corrosive environments, titanium and ultimately nickel-molybdenum alloys are used. 

Certain environments containing nitrate, cyanide, carbonate, amines, ammonia or strong caustic, due to the risk of stress corrosion cracking. Temperature is an important factor in assessment of each cracking environment ... 

The arbitrary division of behaviour has been made because of the extreme behaviour of some chemicals that initiate small areas of attack on a well-passivated metal surface. The form of attack may manifest itself as stress-corrosion cracking, crevice attack or pitting. At certain temperatures and pressures, minute quantities of certain chemicals can result in this form of attack. Chloride ions, in particular, are responsible for many of the failures observed, and it can be present as an impurity in a large number of raw materials. This has led to the development of metals and alloys that can withstand pitting and crevice corrosion, but on the whole these are comparatively expensive. It has become important, therefore, to be able to predict the conditions where more conventional materials may be used. The effect of an increase in concentration on pitting corrosion follows a similar relationship to the Freundlich equation where... 

The corrosion rate of nickel in sodium hydroxide is adversely affected by heat transfer by small amounts of oxidisable alkaline sulphur-containing salts, e.g. Na2SOj, NajS Oj, Na S and, at high temperatures, by alkaline oxidising agents, viz. NaClOj and NajOj. In the former circumstance Alloy 600 is more resistant than nickel, but not in the latter. When Alloy 600 is used for service in caustic alkalis, it should be stress relieved after fabrication to minimise the possibility of stress-corrosion cracking. 

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