Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of Zircaloy-4 (UNS R60804) wires was studied in 1M NaCl, 1M KBr and 1M KI aqueous solutions, and in iodine alcoholic solutions. In all cases, intergranular attack preceded transgranular propagation. It is generally accepted that the intergranular-transgranular transition occurs when a critical value of the stress intensity factor is reached. In the present work it was confirmed that the transition from intergranular to transgranular crack propagation in Zircaloy-4 wires also occurs when a critical value of the stress intensity factor is reached. This critical stress intensity factor in wire samples is independent of the solution tested and close to 11 MPa.m−1/2. This value is in good agreement with those reported in the literature measured by different techniques.

Subject
Water, Materials, Intergranular stress corrosion cracking, Stress intensity, Fracture surfaces, Wiring, Crack propagation, Transgranular stress corrosion cracking, Aqueous solutions, Corrosion attacks, Sodium chloride solution, Fracture, Stress corrosion cracking
Keywords:
Zircaloy-4, stress corrosion, intergranular corrosion, stress intensity factor
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2004
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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