Final answer:
Stress Corrosion Cracking includes three common types: Chloride stress corrosion cracking, commonly affecting austenitic stainless steel; Sulfide stress cracking, which targets carbon and low-alloy steels in hydrogen sulfide-rich environments; and Liquid metal embrittlement, where certain liquid metals make another metal brittle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) is a process involving the growth of cracks in a corrosive environment. It can lead to unexpected sudden failure of normally ductile metals subjected to a tensile stress, especially at elevated temperatures. There are three common types of SCC:
- Chloride stress corrosion cracking is common in austenitic stainless steel and occurs in the presence of chlorides, often at elevated temperatures.
- Sulfide stress cracking (SSC) occurs in carbon and low-alloy steels when exposed to hydrogen sulfide, often in the oil and gas industry.
- Liquid metal embrittlement (LME) involves a liquid metal that penetrates the grain boundaries of the metal causing it to become brittle and crack.
Each type of SCC requires specific conditions of stress, metal, and environmental factors to occur. Understanding and preventing SCC is critical in industries where material failure could lead to severe consequences.