Author(s)

K. Komai, K. Minoshima & T. Miyawaki

Abstract

This investigation demonstrates that atomic force microscopy (AFM) is capable of performing in-situ nanoscopic visualization of initiation and growth process of localized corrosion damage in aqueous solutions or in air. The nanoscopic initia- tion and growth mechanisms of localized corrosion and of stress corrosion crack of an austenitic stainless steel and 7XXX series aluminum alloys are discussed based upon nanoscopic in-situ visualization by using AFM. 1 Introduction Most damage issues in machines and structures are caused by environmentally induced material degradation in an operating environment, including corrosion fatigue and stress corrosion cracking. In order to clarify the fracture and damage mechanisms of these environmentally indu

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