A big step toward solutions to metals corrosion has been made by a research team led by Karl Sieradzki, a Fulton Schools professor of materials and science engineering. Catastrophic failures of metal structures such as large bridges have resulted from a phenomenon called stress corrosion cracking. It happens when corrosive environmental factors and tensile stress combine to damage metals. The work of Sieradzki’s team has pointed the way to formulating new designs for metal alloys that could help prevent stress corrosion-induced structural failures.