Hydrogen degradation of high-strength steels

• Autorzy: Ćwiek J.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Purpose: of this paper is to evaluate susceptibility of high-strength steels and welded joints to hydrogen degradation and to establish applicable mechanism of their hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen delayed cracking. Design/methodology/approach: High-strength quenched and tempered steel grade S690Q and its welded joints have been used. Structural low-alloy steel 34CrAlNi7-10 with various plasma nitrided layers was evaluated. Susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement of steel, welded joints, and nitrided layers was evaluated using monotonically increasing load. Slow strain rate test (SSRT) was carried out in hydrogen generating environments. Susceptibility to hydrogen delayed cracking was evaluated under constant load in artificial sea water. Fractographic examinations with the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed to establish suitable mechanism of hydrogen-enhanced cracking. Findings: Tested high-strength steel and its welded joints are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement when evaluated with the use of SSRT. The loss of plasticity is higher for welded joints then for the base metal. Tested steel and welded joints reveal high resistance to hydrogen degradation under constant load. Plasma nitrided layers are effective barriers for hydrogen entry into structural steel. Research limitations/implications: There has been no possibility to perform direct observations of exact mechanism of hydrogen-assisted cracking so far. Further research should be taken to reveal the exact mechanism of increased plasticity of a nitrided layer with absorbed hydrogen. Practical implications: Tested steel and its welded joints could be safely utilized within elastic range of stress in hydrogen generating environments, and constructions under cathodic protection provided that overprotection does not take place. Originality/value: Hydrogen-Enhanced Localized Plasticity (HELP) model is a more applicable mechanism of hydrogen degradation than the others for high-strength steels in hydrogen generating environments. Evidences of likely increased plasticity of nitrided layers with absorbed hydrogen were observed.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

crack resistance; high strength steel; welded joint; hydrogen degradation

PL

odporność na pękanie; stal wysokowytrzymała; złącze spawane; rozkład wodoru

• Wydawca: International OCSCO World Press
• Czasopismo: Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
• Rocznik: 2009
• Tom: Vol. 37, nr 2
• Strony: 193--212
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 37 poz., rys., tabl.

Twórcy

autor

Ćwiek J.

• Division of Materials Processing Technology, Management and Computer Techniques in Materials Science, Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18a, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland,

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