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Title: Study of grain boundary segregation using the Auger electron emission technique. Annual technical progress report VI, January 1, 1976--December 31, 1976. [Summary of research activities at Michigan Tech]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7313324· OSTI ID:7313324

Studies of admirality brass stress corrosion in copper sulfate and copper nitrate have provided information on environmental contributions to SCC in acid systems. SCC susceptibility is a function of bulk corrosion rate, and is maximized when conditions favor localized attack. At a given pH and stress, solution composition determines crack initiation rates, but the crack crevice environment is not characteristic of the bulk salt solution. Crack propagation appears to be strongly related to anodic dissolution; however, contributions from thin film rupture and hydrogen embrittlement must be considered. The brittle tarnish rupture mechanism is not operative during the stress corrosion of copper alloys in any of a wide variety of environments. Theoretical models have been developed that are providing a basic understanding of segregation to grain boundaries. The statistical thermodynamic approach using a distribution of energy sites at the grain boundary has extended the McLean model and the results are consistent with sulfur segregation in Ni/sub 3/Al and Ni/sub 3/(Al,Ti). A model based on the interatomic potentials of Cu-Cu, Cu-Bi, and Bi-Bi shows the segregation of Bi should occur at grain boundaries and that the segregation should be more extensive at asymmetrical grain boundaries. This is in agreement with earlier measurements made in this program. Grain boundary diffusion experiments continue. The Mo-S-Cr system is still the most desirable one for this purpose but difficulty has been encountered in controlling the sulfur additions and keeping the Cr plate on the surface. A new closed system has been designed that appears to have solved the problem. Experiments using the Cu-Bi-Ni system have been successful so it is clear that the general approach to studying grain boundary diffusion and the effect of impurity segregation on this diffusion will be successful.

Research Organization:
Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton (USA). Dept. of Metallurgical Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-S-02-2166
OSTI ID:
7313324
Report Number(s):
COO-2166-23; TRN: 77-008065
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English