A mechanism for stress-aided grain boundary oxidation ahead of cracks

A comparison of literature data indicates that intergranular oxide intrusions formed in the nickel-based superalloy RR1000 ahead of stationary cracks grow at a rate higher than that observed on flat surfaces. This is attributed to the effect on vacancy equilibria of the tensile stress that exists at the tip of the intrusion. A stress-aided oxidation rate parameter is defined that is stress dependent and varies with the nature of the oxide. The threshold condition for crack advance is also discussed. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.