Stress Corrosion Cracking of High-Strength Maraging Steels.

Results are presented of an experimental investigation of the stress corrosion cracking behavior of 18% Ni-maraging steel specimens immersed in a 3. 5% NaCl solution and loaded in bending. Mechanical and structural properties of the steel were analyzed, and the initial stress intensity was determined as a function of the time to fracture and the threshold stress intensity. A fractographic analysis of the fractured surfaces was carried out, and stress corrosion fractures were studied with the aid of an electron scanning microscope. The fracture surfaces were found to be inhomogeneous, the portion of the intercrystalline area being dependent on the initial stress intensity.