Environmentally Assisted Cracking

Environmentally assisted cracking occurs through many mechanisms. This chapter focuses mainly on hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Although gaseous hydrogen embrittlement is not a corrosion phenomenon, it is included in the discussion of hydrogen embrittlement due to its importance in the hydrogen-based energy systems. The effect of Ni and other alloying elements on SCC in chloride, hydrogen sulfide, caustic, and high-purity water is reviewed. Certain non-aqueous electrolytes, such as supercritical water, are discussed. Liquid metal embrittlement is outlined.