Cracking of Low Carbon Steel By Ferric Chloride Solutions

Aqueous corrosion of mild steel at 316 G is greatly accelerated by low concentrations of FeCl₃. This can lead to stress corrosion cracking in plastically deformed areas subject to high stress. Analogous results can be obtained with chloride-bearing slurries of the ferric oxides and hydrated oxides γ-FeOOH, α-FeOOH, γ-Fe₂O₃ and α-Fe₂O₃ or from slurries of these compounds in contact with chloride-bearing solutions. These observations may be significant in connection with boiler operations when substantial amounts of chloride are present. 3.5.8