# A generalised, multi-phase-field theory for dissolution-driven stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2205.12096 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.12096/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 24 May 2022.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Sharp-PINNs: staggered hard-constrained physics-informed neural networks for phase field modelling of corrosion](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.11942/) (2025)
- [Physics-informed neural operator for parametric phase-field modelling of interfacial degradation and microstructural evolution](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.09693/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We present a phase field-based electro-chemo-mechanical formulation for modelling mechanics-enhanced corrosion and hydrogen-assisted cracking in elastic-plastic solids. A multi-phase-field approach is used to present, for the first time, a general framework for stress corrosion cracking, incorporating both anodic dissolution and hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms. We numerically implement our theory using the finite element method and defining as primary kinematic variables the displacement components, the phase field corrosion order parameter, the metal ion concentration, the phase field fracture order parameter and the hydrogen concentration. Representative case studies are addressed to showcase the predictive capabilities of the model in various materials and environments, attaining a promising agreement with benchmark tests and experimental observations. We show that the generalised formulation presented can capture, as a function of the environment, the interplay between anodic dissolution- and hydrogen-driven failure mechanisms; including the transition from one to the other, their synergistic action and their individual occurrence. Such a generalised framework can bring new insight into environment-material interactions and the understanding of stress corrosion cracking, as demonstrated here by providing the first simulation results for Gruhl's seminal experiments.