Comparison of Two Damage Models for Prediction of Failure in Stress Corrosion Cracking

In the present work, Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and its mechanical behavior are presented. SCC represents complex behavior due to electrochemical and mechanical interaction. Damage models are proposed to predict crack initiation time for stainless steel under constant load using the concept of continuum damage mechanics to show incremental damage accumulation which finally leads to failure of the material. Two damage models applicable to prediction of damage in SCC, Lemaitre damage model and damage driving force model proposed by Kamaya are compared. The comparative study of the results obtained by these damage models shows that in Lemaitre damage law cracks initiate randomly while in damage driving force model the stress concentration occurs around the periphery of damaged element results in increased damage force. The study can be used to estimate the crack initiation time in SCC under corrosive atmosphere.