Precursor Events in Environmentally Assisted Cracking Behaviour of Light Metals

摘要

Light metal alloys of Mg, Ti, and Al undergo environmentally assisted cracking (EAC). Passive film breakdown and pitting are not only precursor events for stress corrosion, but can accelerate hydrogen evolution that is responsible for hydrogen embrittlement. This is clearly demonstrated in the case of Mg and Ti alloys. The so-called innocuous precipitates, which do not directly participate in either alloy strengthening or EAC can be effective precursors for initiating EAC. This aspect is highlighted using high strength aluminium alloys. Such behaviours lead to a paradigm shift in the design of alloys with resistance to EAC.