Failure Analysis on Brittle Fracture of a Stainless Steel Household Cutlery

The causes of brittle fracture of a stainless steel household cutlery under low stress were analyzed by macro examination, scanning electron microscope analysis, energy spectrum analysis, chemical composition analysis, metallographic examination and so on. The results show that there were cracks or pinholes and greasy or oil on the surface of the cutlery, and then carburization and oxidation happened during the heat treatment process. At the same time, there were corrosive media in the cutlery use environment. So low stress brittle fracture of the cutlery happened during use.