Abstract
Large area, time resolved, in-situ optical scanning of constant displacement (four-point bend) tests has been used to monitor the environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) initiation and crack growth behaviour of AA7085 and AA7449 T7651 thick plate materials, exposed to warm-humid air (50 % RH & 70 °C). Subsequent fractography has revealed the dominant initiation sites originating at surface connected gas pore clusters, in combination with reactive Mg-containing constituent intermetallic compounds co-located on grain boundaries. Cracks were also shown to grow at stress intensities substantially below the KIEAC threshold measured via DCB testing, which should not therefore be taken as a limit below which EAC cannot occur.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Corrosion Science |
Early online date | 16 Feb 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 May 2023 |
Keywords
- Environmentally Assisted Cracking (EAC)
- High strength aluminium alloys
- Hydrogen Embrittlement
- Crack Initiation