The hydrogen embrittlement of metals

Cotterill, P.J.

doi:10.1016/0079-6425(61)90005-6

Cited by 176 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Since then, the effect of H-assisted degradation has been widely researched and explained [11,35,213,241]. However, the underlying mechanisms are still being discussed with numerous theories suggested and extensively reviewed [30,123,138,169,178,227]. Due to complexity of the HE phenomena, it is required to have knowledge of the hydrogen interactions on the metal surface, how it enters the metal, its transport through the crystal lattice, its interaction with crystal defects (vacancies, dislocations, grain boundaries, solutes) and precipitates, inclusions, interfaces, etc., and most importantly, its effect on the modification of material properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and mitigating hydrogen embrittlement of steels: a review of experimental, modelling and design progress from atomistic to continuum

et al. 2018

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Hydrogen embrittlement is a complex phenomenon, involving several lengthand timescales, that affects a large class of metals. It can significantly reduce the ductility and load-bearing capacity and cause cracking and catastrophic brittle failures at stresses below the yield stress of susceptible materials. Despite a large research effort in attempting to understand the mechanisms of failure and in developing potential mitigating solutions, hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms are still not completely understood. There are controversial opinions in the literature regarding the underlying mechanisms and related experimental evidence supporting each of these theories. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed review up to the current state of the art on the effect of hydrogen on the degradation of metals, with a particular focus on steels. Here, we describe the effect of hydrogen in steels from the atomistic to the continuum scale by reporting theoretical evidence supported by quantum calculation and modern experimental characterisation methods, macroscopic effects that influence the mechanical properties of steels and established damaging mechanisms for the embrittlement of steels. Furthermore, we give an insight into current approaches and new mitigation strategies used to design new steels resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and mitigating hydrogen embrittlement of steels: a review of experimental, modelling and design progress from atomistic to continuum

et al. 2018

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“…On cooling continuously, transformation of austenite into pearlite would take place in the normal zones, which was then followed by the transformation of more stable austenite in spot-segregation zones into upper-bainite. Hydrogen solubility in austenite (4.7 cm 3 /100 g) is greater than in ferrite (3.0 cm 3 /g) [5]. The hydrogen atoms in the ferrite and pearlite would diffuse into the untransformed austenite in the spot-segregation zones and accumulate in that area.…”

Section: Analysis Of Failure Causesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intergranular Fracture of Spoke Plate of a Large Gear

Zhang

2011

J Fail. Anal. and Preven.

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A crack occurred on the spoke plate of a large marine gear apparently when the gear was being moved at the fabrication site. Fractographic analysis of the fracture surfaces in this study revealed that the crack initiated from the core of spoke plate, and propagated circumferentially toward the surfaces of two holes on the spoke plate and simultaneously to the upper and low ends of the gear. Intergranular fracture was found in crack origin and in regions where the fracture developed slowly. The intergranular facets were associated with ductile shearing between the facets. Transgranular cleavage fracture was apparent in the fast crack propagation region. Metallographic observations also revealed that a type of macrocasting defect, general spot segregation, was generally present on the gear material. A large size macro-spot segregation zone was present near the crack origin and presented a favorable metallurgical condition for hydrogen-induced fracture. The conditions conductive to hydrogen embrittlement include the presence of excessive amounts of S and P, and the appearance of bainite. Therefore, it was concluded that the crack of the spoke plate of the gear was hydrogen induced. The probable source for hydrogen was introduction during the melting and casting process.

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“…[1][2][3][4] In particular, the contribution of hydrogen to the acceleration of fatigue failure is well-documented. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Several mechanisms of hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) of steels have been postulated, including the longstanding decohesion theory introduced by Troiano 11,12 and Oriani, 3,13 and the hydrogen-assisted deformation mechanism first proposed by Beachem 14 and verified by Birnbaum et al [15][16][17] using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) straining experiments in H 2 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High resolution NanoSIMS imaging of deuterium distributions in 316 stainless steel specimens after fatigue testing in high pressure deuterium environment

2018

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It is irrefutable that the presence of hydrogen reduces the mechanical performance of many metals and alloys used for structural components. Several mechanisms of hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) of steels have been postulated. The direct evidence of the mechanisms by which hydrogen embrittles these materials has remained elusive. This is by virtue of our difficulty to directly observe the hydrogen distribution at spatial resolutions less than 100 nm and analysis volumes greater than 1 × 10 9 atoms at microstructural features such as grain boundaries, dislocations, twins, stacking faults and sub-micron inclusions that are all potential hydrogen trapping sites postulated to be responsible for the degradation of mechanical performance. Here, we report on an experimental methodology combining an elaborate fatigue testing protocol in an enriched gaseous deuterium environment with NanoSIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry) imaging for detection of deuterium at spatial resolutions as low as 100 nm and accompanying TEM analysis. Type 316 stainless steel compact tension specimens were precharged in deuterium followed by fatigue testing at high stress ratio (0.7), low delta K (~11 MPa √m), and a frequency of 1 cycle per minute using a sawtooth waveform with a rise time of 30 s in high pressure (68.9 MPa) gaseous deuterium (99.999% purity) environment at room temperature. High resolution NanoSIMS imaging was then used to measure the deuterium distribution at the tip of and in the wake of secondary and tertiary fatigue cracks as well as at MnS inclusions. The use of deuterium eliminates the difficulties of interpreting hydrogen measurements by SIMS relating to the ubiquitous presence of hydrogen in all high vacuum systems and guarantees that deuterium measured by the NanoSIMS must be attributed to the fatigue testing protocol. This methodology has allowed us to directly observe the distribution of hydrogen in dislocation tangles ahead and in the wake of fatigue crack tips and at the interface of MnS inclusions. The protocol provides an avenue by which the path and speed with which hydrogen proceeds along its embrittling course of action may be directly followed through modifications of the fatigue testing parameters and/or alloy type and allows a means to validate at least qualitatively recently published models of enhanced hydrogen transport by dislocations.npj Materials Degradation (2018) 2:2 ;

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The hydrogen embrittlement of metals

Cited by 176 publications

References 42 publications

Understanding and mitigating hydrogen embrittlement of steels: a review of experimental, modelling and design progress from atomistic to continuum

Understanding and mitigating hydrogen embrittlement of steels: a review of experimental, modelling and design progress from atomistic to continuum

Intergranular Fracture of Spoke Plate of a Large Gear

High resolution NanoSIMS imaging of deuterium distributions in 316 stainless steel specimens after fatigue testing in high pressure deuterium environment

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