Passive layer cracking occurring under tensile stresses and anodic polarization conditions was examined. Dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS) and acoustic emission, as the comparative technique, have been applied to investigate process of the passive layer rupture of aluminum alloy A95056 in 0.1 M NaCl solution at room temperature for the rate of stress increment of 1 MPa s(-1). Based on this work, determination of electrochemical and mechanical circumstances of the passive layer cracking was possible. The results indicate that the passive layer cracking process proceeded due to mechanical factors and not electrochemical conditions. Threshold stress value, for which passive layer cracking was detected, has been determined. Moreover, the investigated process was accompanied by a distinct increase in acoustic emission activity and a decrease in the passive layer resistance. The passive layer rupture process initiated the corrosion process, while kinetics depended mainly on the electrochemical impacts. (c) 2005 The Electrochemical Society.