Effect of plastic deformation on the electrochemical and stress corrosion cracking behavior of X70 steel in near-neutral pH environment

This work investigated the effect of plastic deformation on the electrochemical and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of X70 steel in near-neutral pH environment. The deformation-induced increase in electrochemical activity, dislocation density and heterogeneity, and surface roughness accelerated the corrosion, especially the cathodic reactions. Hydrogen absorption and permeation into the steel is promoted by the plastic deformation, resulting in the high hydrogen content of the pre-deformed steels. Moreover, the SCC susceptibility increases with plastic elongation, which is attributed to the enhanced anodic dissolution and hydrogen absorption.