Pre-strain enhances film rupture to promote SCC of brass in Mattsson’s solution – A proposal for a film-rupture-induced SCC mechanism

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviour of H62 brass with various levels of pre-strains in Mattsson’s solution was investigated using electrochemical and SCC tests. The results revealed that the corrosion current densities increased and the work function decreased when the pre-strains increased, which facilitate anodic dissolution, thereby resulting in an increase of the film growth rate and the film-induced stress, ultimately resulting in the enhancement of film rupture and SCC susceptibility. Based on the obtained results, a film-rupture-induced SCC mechanism of brass in Mattsson’s solutions was proposed.

► Potentiodynamic polarisation revealed the pre-strain enhanced anodic dissolution.
► SCC susceptibility of H62 brass increased with increasing film-induced stress.
► Film rupture frequency increased with increasing pre-strain, which promoted SCC.
► Film-rupture-induced SCC mechanism of brass in Mattsson’s solutions was proposed.