1980. Report on prestressing steel: 5. Stress corrosion cracking resistance test for prestressing tendons. (PDF)
It is with considerable pleasure that I introduce this report, which presents a test method for the sensitivity of prestressing steel with regard to hydrogen embrittlement. The view that the degree of sensitivity to this phenomenon provides a good indication of the stress corrosion susceptibility of prestressing steel is now generally accepted. For the formulation of this method, it was necessary to undertake a very precise investigation and survey of testing methods.
The conduct of these activities was entrusted to Mme. Brachet, who headed the Committee which, within the context of FIP, was in charge of the investigation and survey. The way in which Mme. Brachet has tackled the problem can serve as an example of how to deal with similar problems in the future.
The cooperation of various laboratories and organisations finally resulted in a consensus that the test recommended here is best suited to fulfil the envisaged purpose, namely to test the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of a given type of prestressing steel and to meet the following requirements:
The whole process of establishing the correct testing method has taken years to accomplish. With the publication of this report, the method finally selected is now at the disposal of all interested laboratories and organisations. I invite all those concerned to gain experience with this test and to communicate their views to Mme. Brachet. As a result of these combined efforts, it may then be possible to have the testing method officially adopted by ISO in a few years’ time.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all those who have collaborated with Mme. Brachet in making this test a reality and, more particularly, I would like to express my indebtedness to Mme. Brachet herself for the excellent manner in which this report presents the work that has been achieved and its background.
