A scratching electrode technique for studying the inhibition of stress corrosion cracking

The application of a scratching electrode technique to obtain further information on the mechanism of organic inhibitors and on the repassivation rates in relation to s.c.c. has been studied. The experimental current decay values were analysed by a computer and the following relationship was obtained: In the presence of organic inhibitors effective against s.c.c., the restoration time of the initial surface conditions was always shorter than the time of the blank test, in the same potential range. The mechanism of the organic substances in inhibiting stress corrosion cracking and the mechanisms of cracking are discussed.