What is Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)?
Stress corrosion cracking causes microscopic cracks in the stainless steel, eventually resulting in failure. It is particularly dangerous because it can cause collapse without warning. It can only affect stainless steel under tensile stress, that is, elements such as fasteners, rods or wires which are supporting a load or from which a load is suspended. Residual fabrication and welding stresses can also cause vulnerability to SCC. SCC is triggered by attack from corrosive chemicals present in the atmospheric conditions of indoor pools, which can occur even at room temperature. The SCC failure mode can occur in most metals under particular conditions of stress and corrosive attack. Stainless steels are no exception, and when SCC failure occurs there is no obvious warning. ASSDA strongly urges pool designers, owners and managers to take preventive action to avoid injury to pool patrons, by not using potentially susceptible stainless steel grades in load-bearing applications in pool build
