Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7.12
Schematic representation of the mechanism of crack growth by microvoid
coalescence. (a) Inert environment. (b) Embrittling liquid metal environment. (After
Kamdar [3].)
7.2.6 LME Failures in Practice
The occurrence of LME has been encountered during processing of the metal
(e.g., galvanizing and hot rolling), during fabrication of the material (e.g., in
the nuclear industry and in smelters), and during chance melting down of the
contaminating embrittling metals.
During the hot dipping process, intimate contact between the molten metal
and the component to be coated must occur and if the latter is stressed conditions
for LME develop. In a continuous galvanizing operation of steel wires, snapping
