Stress corrosion cracking
Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems (BG 50/2021), second edition, by Dr Pamela Simpson, published by BSRIA in 2021, defines stress corrosion cracking as: ‘a specific form of corrosion that leads to cracking and mechanical failure of stressed brass and stainless steel components when exposed to certain chemical species.’
The Illustrated Guide to Hot and Cold Water Services (BG 33/2014), written by Reginald Brown and published by BSRIA in 2014, in states: ‘Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a particular form of corrosion affecting brass and stainless steel that can result in catastrophic failure. For SCC to occur there needs to be a concentration of stress (imposed or residual from manufacturing) and a corrosive agent. In the case of brass components, SCC can be triggered by ammonia or amines concentrating in condensation collecting under the insulation of a chilled water pipe. In principle SCC could also occur in cold water pipework components but no instances of this are known to BSRIA.’
--BSRIA
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