There has been much concern over the problem of stress corrosion cracking of titanium alloys since Brown and Beachem1 first reported this phenomenon in α-phase Ti-Al alloys. Various models have been proposed describing the mechanism of cracking;2-5 however, none have explained, or attempted to explain, the unique cleavage plane6,7 which is observed after this type failure in the α-phase alloys. The present note is an attempt to describe, in a logical sequence, the process of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in α-Ti-Al alloys which leads to cleavage on planes approximately 14° to the basal plane.
Since, in all probability, there is no model for SCC in all materials under all environmental conditions, this note will only consider SCC in α-phase Ti-Al alloys, containing greater than 6% aluminum, possessing a sharp notch, and in a salt water or methanol environment. Stress corrosion cracking in alloys...
