Abstract
An improved model explains the hot salt stress corrosion cracking (HSSCC) of titanium alloys. Basically, corrosion produced hydrogen from a secondary cathodic reaction is responsible for the premature failure which can occur when tensile stressed titanium alloys are exposed to chloride containing hot salt environments. The electrochemical model is consistent with all observations and data which have been reported and verified by earlier HSSCC investigators. Examination of the mechanism provides an explanation why titanium alloy components in aircraft gas turbine engines probably have not failed by HSSCC in service. Microstructural factors are involved in the cracking process. Optically observable microstructures probably should not be used in discussing the relative susceptibility of titanium alloys to HSSCC.
