Whitney Award Lecture—1990: Chemo-Mechanical Interactions in Environmentally Induced Cracking

Abstract The history of corrosion as a science dates from the early nineteenth century with the classic studies of Faraday and Schonbein on the passivity of metals. Thus, we have had more than 150 years of experience in laboratory examinations to determine the specific mechanisms of corrosion processes. Yet, with the possible exception of general corrosion, almost none of the engineering problems associated with aqueous corrosion have been solved by other than “enlightened emperical” approaches. This discussion will focus on one particularly complex and vexing phenomenon, that of chemo-mechanical interactions in corrosion processes. Particular emphasis will be placed on conflicting mechanistic concepts for these interactions and the research which may be required to resolve them. The application of corrosion science to corrosion technology is briefly addressed, and means for improving communications between scientists and technologists are discussed.