Hydrogen Embrittlement of a HSLA-100 Steel in Seawater

摘要

Hydrogen embrittlement of a copper precipitation strengthed and niobium microalloyed HSLA-100 steel on cathodic changing in synthetic seawater has been studied using slow strain rate technique. The effects of potential applied for hydrogen changing, pre-charging with hydrogen and changes in strain rate have been observed, A loss in ductility I terms of drop in percent elongation and percent reduction in area has been observed,the effect being prominent at potentials beyond - 900 mV( SCE). SEM fractography shows an increase in brittle quasi-cleavage features with decreasing potential. A hardening effect on hydrogen charging up to - 700mV(SCE), followed by a softening effect, has been observed. Precharging has led charging up to - 700mV (SCE), followed by a softening effect, has been observed. Precharging has led to a similar behaviour, but an overall increase in the strength values compared to material without precharging.