City Research Online

Abstract

The joint action of corrosion and tensile stress that gives rise to Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) has produced serious premature failure of structural material in several environments. The traditional methods of assessment of the susceptibility of material to SCC have proved time consuming and, in one particular case, it is very cumbersome and unattractive for potential users. An electrochemical technique and adoption of fracture mechanics principles have been used to introduce a simple and rapid technique for the determination of the threshold value of stress intensity of stress corrosion cracking, K_ISCC, which is known to coincide with the formation of stretch zone at the crack tip.

Another major problem in environments where metallic structures are deployed, is their susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement. The isolation of hydrogen evolution from a corroding metallic structure by the introduction of the use of active hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts has been found effective. The significance of the use of more efficient and active hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst is that these electrocatalysts have lower hydrogen overpotential and can operate in both 'sweet' and 'sour' corrosive environments. These electrocatalysts could be connected and/or coated to the steel whilst protected in an hydrogen environment.

Thus, the techniques proposed in this work provide a better assessment of component susceptibility to SCC, prior to the fabrication of the component and possibly the prevention of hydrogen embrittlement could be realized.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Department of Engineering School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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