THE EFFECTS OF MICROSTRUCTURE ON CRACK INITIATION IN LIQUID-METAL ENVIRONMENTS

Liquid-metal-induced embrittlement under tensile test conditions is id entified by the existence of a characteristic ductility trough. In thi s study, the effect of molten gallium on the behaviour of two brass al loys with different microstructures is studied. The role of plastic sl ip behaviour in the generation of high localized stresses and, consequ ently, on crack initiation is examined, Furthermore, the effects of va rious parameters such as strain rate, temperature and grain size on th e degree of embrittlement are explained in terms of their effect on th e dislocation mobility. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.