Intercrystalline refers to phenomena, such as cracking, corrosion, or fracture, that propagate along the grain boundaries of an alloy rather than through the grains themselves. It usually indicates that the grain boundaries have been weakened by the precipitation of impurities or depleted of alloying elements during heat treatment.
Heard on the job
The failure analysis showed severe intercrystalline corrosion right next to the weld zone.
Also heard as
- intergranular