Pitting potentials, E(p), and protection potentials, E(pp), have been determined for alpha-brass (33% Zn) using a cyclic polarization method. Increasing the F- concentration shifts the critical potential to more active values. The pitting potentials, E(p) and protection potentials E(pp), depend on the logarithmic concentration of F- ions according to the equations : E(p) a + b log [F-] and E(pp) = a + b log [F-]. Slow strain rate tests (SSRT), at a strain rate of 5 x 10(-5) s(-1) were performed under open-circuit and potentiostatic conditions to study the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) characteristics of the a-brass in NaF solutions of various concentrations (pH 6.8) at 25 degrees C. The minimum concentration of NaF that caused intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) was 1 X 10(-4)M. This concentration, was also the critical level for repassivation, observed in cyclic polarization tests. These results demonstrate a good correlation between the electrical and the mechanical breakdown of the passive film. In the presence of 10(-1)M NaF the potential range for IGSCC was -150 to -50 mV (SCE). These critical potentials were restricted to the stable passive potential range and also fell within the potential-pH region where Cu2O was stable. The formation of a Cu2O film on the brass after polarization in the passive region was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). At more noble potentials and at cathodic potentials below the Cu2O domain, the failure mode was ductile fracture. These observations of IGSCC of the brass in fluoride solutions support a film rupture-dissolution mechanism.