What is the definition of stress corrosion in material science?

Stress corrosion refers to the brittle fracture of materials, particularly alloys, that occurs when a susceptible material is exposed to tensile stress and a corrosive environment. This phenomenon is critical in understanding the failure mechanisms of metals, as it combines the effects of stress and corrosion, leading to unexpected fractures.

In scenarios where alloys are subjected to high levels of tensile stress – whether from manufacturing processes, operational loads, or residual stresses from fabrication – and are also exposed to specific corrosive conditions, the material can experience cracking. This occurs even at low levels of stress that would not typically cause fracture in the absence of corrosion.

The other choices highlight different types of corrosion or deterioration, such as oxidation and electrochemical reactions, but they do not encompass the specific interaction between stress and corrosion that defines stress corrosion cracking. Recognizing this unique interaction is vital for materials selection, component design, and preventative maintenance in various engineering applications.