Stress Corrosion
The accelerated degradation of a dental material resulting from the synergistic action of mechanical stress and corrosive oral environment, leading to crack initiation or propagation.
Full Definition
Stress corrosion, sometimes termed stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) in engineering literature, occurs when a susceptible material under sustained tensile or residual stress is simultaneously exposed to a corrosive medium—in dentistry, typically oral fluids, acidic foods, or salivary enzymes. It is particularly relevant for dental ceramics (where it is mediated by hydrolytic attack on siloxane bonds at crack tips, a mechanism also called slow crack growth) and for base-metal alloys under occlusal loading. Editors should note that 'stress corrosion' is the accepted clinical and materials science term; 'stress-corrosion cracking' is more common in engineering contexts and may require bracketed clarification in dental manuscripts. The phenomenon reduces the effective fatigue life and fracture resistance of restorations in vivo.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate only when used as a compound modifier: 'stress-corrosion cracking'. As a standalone noun phrase, 'stress corrosion' is unhyphenated.
In Context
- "The ceramic crown's in vivo fracture was attributed to stress corrosion initiated at surface flaws exposed to acidic saliva." — Fractographic analysis case report
- "Authors should clarify whether 'slow crack growth' and 'stress corrosion' are being used synonymously, as the mechanisms differ subtly for oxide versus silicate ceramics." — Editorial query to authors