Role of crack tip blunting in stress corrosion cracking of high-strength steels

This paper analyzes the role of crack tip blunting in stress corrosion crac king by localized anodic dissolution of high-strength eutectoid steel. The results of the tests show an apparent improvement of fracture resistance in aggressive environment - measured in terms of critical stress intensity fa ctor - in relation to its reference value in an inert (air) environment. Th e explanation can be sought in the effects of crack tip blunting, i.e., of the increase of crack tip radius as a consequence of the dissolution proces s.