Circumferential Notched Tensile Testing for Correlation of the Stress Intensity Factor (KI) and Stress Corrosion Crack Growth Rate

A novel fracture mechanics technique has been employed for the determination of crack growth rate and threshold stress intensity factor (KISCC) for stress corrosion cracking (SCC) using small circumferential notch tensile (CNT) specimens. The technique was applied successfully for testing SCC susceptibility of AISI 1020 mild steel in 12.5 M NaOH at 150 °C. The crack growth rate of mild steel in 12.5 M NaOH solution at 150 °C has been determined at different stress intensity factors (KI), and the KISCC has been determined to be 29 MPa·m1/2. The surfaces of fractured specimens have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to establish intergranular propagation of stress corrosion cracks. The CNT testing is a simple, relatively fast, and cost-advantageous approach for generating crack growth rate and KISCC data.