Liquid metal embrittlement

Liquid metal embrittlement (also known as LME and liquid metal induced embrittlement) is a phenomenon of practical importance, where certain ductile metals experience drastic loss in tensile ductility or undergo brittle fracture when exposed to specific liquid metals. Generally, tensile stress, either externally applied or internally present, is needed to induce embrittlement. Exceptions to this rule have been observed, as in the case of aluminium in the presence of liquid gallium.^[1] This phenomenon has been studied since the beginning of the 20th century. Many of its phenomenological characteristics are known and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain it.^[2]^[3] The practical significance of liquid metal embrittlement is revealed by the observation that several steels experience ductility losses and cracking during hot-dip galvanizing or during subsequent fabrication.^[4] Cracking can occur catastrophically and very high crack growth rates have been measured.^[5]

Similar metal embrittlement effects can be observed even in the solid state, when one of the metals is brought close to its melting point; e.g. cadmium-coated parts operating at high temperature. This phenomenon is known as solid metal embrittlement.^[6]

^ Huntington, A. K. (1914). "Discussion on Report to Beilby Prize Committee". Journal of the Institute of Metals. 11 (1). London, UK: Institute of Metals: 108.
^ Joseph, B.; Picat, M. & Barbier, F. (1999). "Liquid metal embrittlement: A state-of-the-art appraisal". European Physical Journal Applied Physics. 5 (1): 19–31. Bibcode:1999EPJAP...5...19J. doi:10.1051/epjap:1999108.
^ Kolman, D. G. (2003). "Environmentally Induced Cracking, Liquid Metal Embrittlement". In Cramer, Stephen D. & Covino, Bernard S. Jr. (eds.). ASM Handbook, Volume 13A, Corrosion: Fundamentals, Testing and Protection. Materials Park, OH: ASM International. pp. 381–392. ISBN 978-0-87170-705-5.
^ Kamdar, M. H. (1983). "Liquid Metal Embrittlement". Treatise on Materials Science and Technology. Vol. 25. Academic Press. pp. 361–459.
^ Kolman, D.G. & Chavarria, R. (2002). "Liquid-Metal Embrittlement of 7075 Aluminum and 4340 Steel Compact Tension Specimens by Gallium". Journal of Testing and Evaluation. 30 (5): 452–456. doi:10.1520/JTE12336J.
^ Kolman, D.G. (2003), pp. 393-397.

[Huntington-1] Huntington, A. K. (1914). "Discussion on Report to Beilby Prize Committee". Journal of the Institute of Metals. 11 (1). London, UK: Institute of Metals: 108.

[Joseph-2] Joseph, B.; Picat, M. & Barbier, F. (1999). "Liquid metal embrittlement: A state-of-the-art appraisal". European Physical Journal Applied Physics. 5 (1): 19–31. Bibcode:1999EPJAP...5...19J. doi:10.1051/epjap:1999108.

[Kolman-3] Kolman, D. G. (2003). "Environmentally Induced Cracking, Liquid Metal Embrittlement". In Cramer, Stephen D. & Covino, Bernard S. Jr. (eds.). ASM Handbook, Volume 13A, Corrosion: Fundamentals, Testing and Protection. Materials Park, OH: ASM International. pp. 381–392. ISBN 978-0-87170-705-5.

[Kamdar-4] Kamdar, M. H. (1983). "Liquid Metal Embrittlement". Treatise on Materials Science and Technology. Vol. 25. Academic Press. pp. 361–459.

[Kolman3-5] Kolman, D.G. & Chavarria, R. (2002). "Liquid-Metal Embrittlement of 7075 Aluminum and 4340 Steel Compact Tension Specimens by Gallium". Journal of Testing and Evaluation. 30 (5): 452–456. doi:10.1520/JTE12336J.

[Kolman2-6] Kolman, D.G. (2003), pp. 393-397.

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