Technical Note: Effect of Applied Current on Stress Corrosion of Beryllium

Effect of galvanostatic anodic and cathodic currents on the stress corrosion of beryllium sheet material in aerated, synthetic sea water at 72 F (22 C) was determined. Applied anodic currents reduced the time-to-failure; cathodic currents prevented pitting and subsequent stress corrosion. Mechanism for premature failure was associated with rapid anodic dissolution along an active path nearly normal to the applied tensile stress. Hydrogen cracking was excluded as a primary factor in the failure mechanism.