How to check for stress corrosion cracking?

In general, alloys known to be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking should be avoided.

In some cases, special heat treatments can minimize the susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking.

Many tests have been developed to test the susceptibility of metals to stress corrosion cracking.

All of these combine mechanical loading, often in the presence of a pre-existing crack, and exposure to the specific environment of interest.

For alloys with limited sensitivity to stress corrosion cracking, critical stresses can be defined below which stress corrosion will not occur.

The structural analysis and manufacturing processes required to accommodate these critical stress criteria are often very complex and the use of highly resistant materials is recommended.

source: Corrosion Control - NAVY - NAVFAC MO-307 - 1992

see also:

stress corrosion cracking

corrosion types

stainless steel grades

useful document:

http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/stress.pdf