Abstract
Al-Li-Cu alloys have been observed to fail in less than 24 hours after removal from a one week immersion in aerated 3.5 w/o NaCl solution. Anodic dissolution-based mechanisms proposed previously for this phenomenon have been amended based on further experiment and characterization of the rapid cracking process. Amendments are based on studies of the relative electrochemical behavior of the microstructural elements in the subgrain boundary region, time to failure SCC testing in a simulated crack solution, evolution of crack potential and pH with time, fractographic examination of failed samples, and X-ray diffraction of films passivating crack walls. Results suggest that an active path exists along subgrain boundaries that is comprised of the highly reactive T1 (Al2CuLi) precipitate phase and a solute depleted zone that does not readily passivate when exposed to the crack environment. The matrix phase does appear to passivate in the crack environment thereby confining the crack to the subgrain boundary region. This active path is enabled when cracks are isolated from a bulk environment, but is disabled otherwise. Potential and pH conditions required for cracking are discussed as is the formation of a hydrotalcite Li2[Al2(OH)6]2·CO3·3H2O film that appears to be responsible for passivating crack walls.
