Effect of nanosized NbC precipitates on hydrogen-induced cracking of high-strength low-alloy steel

We investigated the effect of nanosized NbC precipitates on hydrogen-induced cracking(HIC)of high-strength low-alloy steel by conducting slow-strain-rate tensile tests(SSRT)and performing continuous hydrogen charging and fracture analysis.The results reveal that the HIC resistance of Nb-bearing steel is obviously superior to that of Nb-free steel,with the fractured Nb-bearing steel in the SSRT exhibiting a smaller ratio of elongation reduction(Iδ).However,as the hydrogen traps induced by NbC precipitates approach hydrogen saturation,the effect of the precipitates on the HIC resistance attenuate.We speculate that the highly dispersed nanosized NbC precipitates act as irreversible hydrogen traps that hinder the accumulation of hydrogen at potential crack nucleation sites.In addition,much like Nb-free steel,the Nb-bearing steel exhibits both H-solution strengthening and the resistance to HIC.

Hydrogen-induced cracking behaviors of Incoloy alloy 825

The effect of hydrogen on the fractttre behaviors of Incoloy alloy 825 was investigated by means of slow strain rate testing （SSRT） Hydrogen was introduced into the sample by electrochemical charging. The results show that surface microcracks form gradually during ag- ing at room temperature when desorption of hydrogen takes place after hydrogen charging at a current density of 5 mA/cm^2 for 24 h. SSRT shows that the increase of ductility loss is significantly obvious as the hydrogen charging current density increases. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） images reveal ductile fracture in the pre-charged sample with low current densities, while the fracture includes small quasi-cleavage regions and tends to be brittle fracture as the hydrogen charging current density increases to 5 mA/cm^2.

Investigation on hydrogen-induced cracking susceptibility of HG980D steel with yield strength 900 MPa

In this paper, the microstructure and hardness of HG980D heat-affected zone （HAZ） at different cooling rate t8/3 were studied, the implant critical fracture stress under three diffusible hydrogen conditions were measured, and the hydrogeninduced cracking （H1C） fructograph of steel HG980D were analyzed, The experimental results show that martensite exists in HAZ of HG980D till ts/3 ≥ 150 s, the harden quenching tendency of HG980D is greater; The implant critical fracture stress is related to difJhsible hydrogen content significantly, at low hydrogen level, high restraint stress is needed to nucleate HIC, the fraetograph is mainly mierovoid coalescence, bat at high hydrogen level, only small restraint stress can cause H1C occurrence, the fractograph is mainly quasicleavage. It is very important to choose ultra-low hydrogen welding consumable to weld steel HG980D to prevent hydrogen-induced cracking.

Threshold Stress Intensity of Hydrogen-Induced Cracking and Stress Corrosion Cracking of High Strength Steel

The threshold stress intensity of stress corrosion cracking(SCC) for 40 CrMo steel in 3.5%NaCl solution decreased exponentially with the increase of yield strength.The threshold stress intensity of hydrogen-induced cracking during dynamical charging for 40 CrMo steel decreased linearly with the logarithm of the concentration of diffusible hydrogen.This equation was also applicable to SCC of high strength steel in aqueous solution.The critical hydrogen enrichment concentration necessary for SCC of high strength steel in water decreased exponentially with the increase of yield strength.Based on the results,the relationship between K_(ISCC) and σ_(ys) could be deduced.

Synergistic effects of Nb and Mo on hydrogen-induced cracking of pipeline steels:A combined experimental and numerical study

The synergistic effects of Nb and Mo on hydrogen-induced cracking(HIC)of pipeline steels were studied experimentally and numerically.The results showed that Mo was primarily segregated at grain-boundaries(GBs)or solid-dissolved in the matrix,while most Nb and a small amount of Mo formed dis-persed(Nb,Mo)C nano-precipitates and refined the microstructure.Compared with Nb alloying,the multi-ple additions of Nb-Mo played dual roles in affecting H diffusion:primarily,the H-traps densities such as GBs,precipitates,and solute Mo atoms increased,providing an advantage;however,Mo slightly reduced the H-trapping capacity of precipitates,playing an adverse role.Nonetheless,the beneficial effects far outweighed the adverse effects,thereby reducing H diffusivity and inhibiting crack initiation.Addition-ally,Nb and Mo hindered crack propagation synergistically as follows:(i)Mo enhanced GB cohesion by repelling H,impeding intergranular cracking and hydrogen-enhanced decohesion(HEDE);(ii)Nb reduced the proportion of3/high-angle grain boundaries,increasing cracking resistance;(iii)(Nb,Mo)C precip-itates impeded H-dislocation interactions,reducing the hydrogen-enhanced localized plasticity(HELP).

Hydrogen-induced delayed fracture of Cu-containing high-strength bolt steel

The hydrogen-induced delayed fracture(HIDF)behavior of a 1300-MPa-grade high-strength bolt steel 42CrMoV containing 0.42 wt.%Cu was investigated by constant load tensile test in a pH 3.5 Walpole solution.It is shown that the addition of Cu is beneficial to enhance the HIDF resistance by~13%.The observation of the fracture surface revealed that the area fraction of brittle crack initiation zone decreased remarkably for the Cu-added steel.Both the corrosion pit depth and the corrosion rate of the Cu-added steel in the Walpole solution are notably decreased,which is primarily because of the formation of a Cu-rich protective compact rust layer and slightly higher corrosion potential.As a result,the absorbed hydrogen content in that solution was also decreased by~21%.It is concluded that the improvement in the HIDF resistance of the tested steel is primarily due to the increase in corrosion resistance and resultant decrease in the absorbed diffusible hydrogen content in the acidic condition.

The role of atomic hydrogen and hydrogen-induced martensites in hydrogen embrittlement of type 304L stainless steel

The role of atomic hydrogen and hydrogen-induced martensites in hydrogen embrittlement in slow strain rate tensile tests and hydrogen-induced delayed cracking (HIC) in sustained load tests for type 304 L stainless steel was quantitatively studied.The results indicated that hydrogen-induced martensites formed when hydrogen concentration C0 exceeded 30 ppm,and increased with an increase in C0,i.e.M(vol%)=62-82.5exp(-C0/102).The relative plasticity loss caused by the martensites increased linearly with increasing amount of the martensites,i.e.Iδ(M),%=0.45M(vol %)=27.9-37.1 exp(-C0/102).The plasticity loss caused by atomic hydrogen Iδ(H) increased with an increase in C0 and reached a saturation value Iδ(H)max=40% when C0>100 ppm.Iδ(H) decreased with an increase in strain rate ,i.e.Iδ(H),%=-21.9-9.9,and was zero when ≥c=0.032/s.HIC under sustained load was due to atomic hydrogen,and the threshold stress intensity for HIC decreased linearly with lnC0,i.e.KIH(Mpam1/2)=91.7-10.1 lnC0(ppm).The fracture surface of HIC was dimple if KI was high or/and C0 was low,otherwise it was quasi-cleavage.The boundary line between ductile and brittle fracture surface was KI-54+25exp(-C0/153)=0.

Effects of Niobium and Vanadium on Hydrogen-Induced Delayed Fracture in High Strength Spring Steel

Influence of vanadium and/or niobium additions on delayed fracture behavior in high strength spring steel was studied by hydrogen permeation method and slow strain rate technique （8SRT）, and its mechanism was analyzed. The results show that apparent diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in microalloyed spring steels Nb-V-steel and Nb-steel is lower than that in non-microalloyed steel 60Si2MnA. Percentage of strength reduction in SSRT in air after precharged hydrogen of the microalloyed steels is smaller than that of 60Si2MnA. Addition of the microalloys changes the fracture characteristics. Thence, vanadium and/or niobium additions are a very effective and economy means to improve the hydrogen-induced delayed fracture resistance of high strength spring steel.

Hydrogen-enhanced dislocation emission, motion and nucleation of hydrogen-induced cracking for steel

The change in dislocation configuration ahead of a loaded crack tip before and after charging with hydrogen was in situ investigated in TEM using a special constant deflection loading device The results showed that hydrogen could facilitate dislocation emission, multiplication and motion The change in displacement field ahead of a loaded notch tip for a bulk specimen before and after charging with hydrogen was in situ measured by the laser moire interferometer technique. The results showed that hydrogen could enlarge the plastic zone and increase the plastic strain The in situ observation in TEM showed that when hydrogen-enhanced dislocation emission and motion reached a critical condition, a nanocrack of hydrogen-induced cracking ( HIC) would nucleate in the dislocation-free zone (DFZ) or at the main crack tip. The reasons for hydrogen-enhanced dislocation emission, multiplication and motion, and the mechanisms of nucleation of HIC have been

Hydrogen-induced cracking and its anisotropy of a PZT ferroelectric ceramics

Threshold stress intensity factor of hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC), KIH, of a leadzirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics (PZT-5) has been measured during dynamic charging with various current densities at constant load using notched tensile specimens with poling directionparallel or perpendicular to the crack plane. The results show that KIH reveals anisotropy, and thethreshold stress intensity factor for the specimen with poling direction parallel to the crack plane, K aIH, is greater than that perpendicular to the crack plane, K bIH, similar to the anisotropy of fracture toughness, KIC. The normalized threshold stress intensity factor of HIC, however, does not reveal anisotropy, and decreass linearly with logarithm of hydrogen concentration, C0, i.e. K aIH/K aIC = K bIH/K bIC = 0.4-0.15 lnC0. Therefore, the anisotropy of HIC is the same as that of the fracture tough-ness, and is due to the anisotropy of the stress-induced 90 domain switching.

Hydrogen-induced cracking by nanovoids in 310 stainless steel

Hydrogen-induced cracking was investigated by TEM in-situ tension in hydrogenated stainless steel of type 310. It was found experimentally that hydrogen-induced cracking happens via nanovoid nucleation followed by quasi-cleavage along {111} planes when C H is higher. Otherwise, in the case of lower C H, hydrogen enhances ductile fracture via hydrogen-enhanced microvoid nucleation, growth and connection. A new model was proposed based on the present experiments. Dislocations break away from defect atmospheres and move away from the DFZ, leaving vacancy and hydrogen clusters along {111} planes. Hydrogen tends to combine with vacancy clusters and initiate nanovoids along {111} planes. Dense nanovoids connect each other, resulting in brittle cracking. Scattered nanovoids grow into microvoids or even macrovoids, leading to ductile fracture.

Hydrogen-induced marginal growth model for the synthesis of graphene by arc discharge

High-quality graphene is prepared by arc discharge with low cost under hydrogen atmosphere. However, the growth mechanism of graphene synthesis by arc discharge remains unclear. In this paper, the hydrogen-induced marginal growth(HIMG) model is deduced to study the growth mechanism of graphene by combining experiment with numerical simulation results. First, the characteristics of thick edges and thin middle and containing hydrogen are verified by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. In addition, numerical simulation provides the chemical species and temperature range of graphene growth. Second, the marginal growth pattern of hydrogen transfer and carbon addition is introduced because the C–H and C–C reduce configuration energy and island energy, respectively. Meanwhile, the stacking growth at the margin of the graphene island leads to the longitudinal growth of graphene because of the Van der Waals force and the effect of self-assembly,increasing the number of graphene layers. Finally, graphene sheets with a small amount of hydrogen are deposited on the inner wall after annealing. The investigation of the growth mechanism of graphene under hydrogen atmosphere lays a foundation for the large-scale preparation of graphene by arc discharge.

Hydrogen-induced amorphization in LaNi_(3-x)Mn_x compounds

Effects of Mn content on the hydrogen-induced amorphization of LaNi3-xMnx(x=0.0,0.1,0.3 and 0.5) hydrogen storage alloys were studied systematically.All the alloys were prepared using a rapid quenching and annealing method.As the charging time increased,the hydrogen-induced amorphization occurred gradually in all the compounds for the first cycle.During the discharge process,discharge potential plateau was not observed in LaNi3.As Mn content increased,however,structural changes were inhibited partly,and a p...

INFLUENCE OF INTERNAL HYDROGEN ON THE HYDROGENEMBRITTLEMENT OF AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL

The HE (hydrogen embrittlement) behavior of two kinds of austenitic stee Cr21Ni6Mn9 and 1Cr18Ni9Ti is reprted in this paper. The factors (temperc-ture/strain rate/stress concentration coefficient and purity of hydrogen) are restricted to the severe conditions under which HE is easy to occur. The concentmtion of in-ternal hydrogen in samples is changed by varying the time during which samples are placed in 24 MPa hydrogen at 473 K Then the tensile properties of the samples are tested. The results indicate that the degree of the hydrogen-induced plastic loss (L)of Cr21Ni6Mn9 is different with the internal hydrogen(CH). Howeven even when CH is as high as 70 PPm L is 15% and the fracture may be explained as a larpe amount of internal hydrogen hinders the cross-slip of dislocations when the steel is deforming.For the metastable steel 1Cr18Ni9Ti the hydrogen-induced plastic loss is severer than that of Cr21Ni6Mn9. When CH is 40 PPm its L is as high as 42%. The mechanism may be explained as a larpe amount of hyderpen decreases the stacking fault enerpy and brittle ε-phase is produed in the high CH areas.

IN-SITU ELECTRON MICROSCOPY STUDY ON PRECIPITATION OF ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDES INDUCED BY STRESS AND STRAIN IN ZIRCALOY-2

The precipitation process of zirconium hydrides induced by stress and strain was investigated by means of electron microscopy in-situ.The precipitating hydrides induced by stress were found to be γ phase with orientation relationship of (110)_γ‖(110)_(αZr),(001)_γ‖ (0001)_(αZr) between γ-hydrides and surrounding matrix.The growth rate of γ-hydrides which was much faster along [110] direction brought them in taper shape.After fracture of y-hydrides,a new one will precipitate at the tip of cracks.This is the essential process of hydrogen-induced delayed cracking in Zircaloy.The precipitating hydrides induced by strain were found to be δ phase with both orientation relationships of(111)_δ‖(0001)_(αZr),(110)_δ‖ (110)_(αZr) or (010)_δ‖(0001)_(αZr),(001)_δ‖(110)_(αZr)between δ-hydride and surrounding matrix.The δ-hydrides become much finer as the strain rate increased.

HYDROGEN DAMAGE IN HIGH PURITY IRON

Hydrogen damage in iron or 99.99% purity has been investigated by Doppler broadening measurement.Experimental results show that when the iron is charged with hydrogen in 0.5mol/L H_2SO_4 solution,the critical current density to cause hydrogen damage is 20mA/cm^2.While a little As_2O_3,saying 250mg/L,added to H_2SO_4 solution,even rather small current density.≤0.2mA/cm^2,would cause hydrogen damage.With the help ofi slow tensile test,it revealed that the hydrogen damage occurred in the specimen may be influential to the subsequent process of deformation and fracture.

Hydrogen Embrittlement of Advanced High-Strength Steel for Automobile Application:A Review

The hydrogen embrittlement(HE)fracture of advanced high-strength steels used in lightweight automobiles has received increasing public attention.The source,transmission,and movement of hydrogen,characterization parameters,and test methods of HE,as well as the characteristics and path of HE fractures,are introduced.The mechanisms and modes of crack propagation of HE and hydrogen-induced delayed fracture are reviewed.The recent progress surrounding micro and macro typical fracture characteristics and the influencing factors of HE are discussed.Finally,methods for improving HE resistance can be summarized as follows:(1)reducing crystalline grain and inclusion sizes(oxides,sulfides,and titanium nitride),(2)controlling nano-precipitates(niobium carbide,titanium carbide,and composite precipitation),and(3)increasing residual austenite content under the reasonable tension strength of steel.

Failure Analysis of Aviation Torsional Springs

Cracks and fractures occur during the assembly process to a type of torsional springs used in the aviation mechanism. Besides visual examination, other experimental techniques used for the investigation are： 1） fracture characteristics, damage morphology and fractography by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, 2） spectrum analysis of covering, 3） metallographic observation of cracks and 4） hydrogen content testing. The results are obtained through the analysis of manufacture process and experimental data. Since no changes of microstructure are found, failures are irrelevant to the material. The cracks and fractures initiate on the inner surface, cracks initiate before the cadmium plating and after the winding. No obvious stress corrosion cracks are found near the crack source region. The opening direction of cracks is consistent with the residual tensile stress of the spring inner surface, and the springs are easy to contact hydrogen media between the spring winding and the cadmium plating. The cracks are caused by hydrogen-induced delayed cracking under the action of the residual tensile stress and hydrogen.

HIC and SSC Behavior of High-Strength Pipeline Steels

In this study,hydrogen-induced cracking（HIC） and sulfide stress corrosion cracking（SSC） behaviors of highstrength pipeline steels in four different strength grades（X70,X80,X90 and X100） with the microstructure of acicular ferrite were estimated.The results showed that both of X70 and X80 steels exhibited better HIC resistance,and their susceptibility to HIC increased with the strength grade.HIC parameters,including cracking length ratio,cracking thickness ratio（CTR） and cracking sensitivity ratio,were all increased,and among these,the CTR increased most,with the increase in the strength grade.HIC was found to initiate and grow along the hard boundaries such as large size martensite/austenite（M/A） islands and bainitic ferrite.In addition,the density of hydrogen-induced blister on the steel surface was increased with the decrease in p H value for the same-grade pipeline steels.SSC susceptibilities of X80,X90 and X90-C were revealed to subsequently decrease,which was related to the large size M/A islands.

The Mechanism of Hydrogen-facilitating Initiation of Voids

By combining the hydrogen-induced local plastic deformation theory with the decohesive theory and the hydrogen pressure theory, a new mechanism of hydrogen-facilitating initiation of voids has been proposed. Through facilitating the local plastic deformation and reducing the cohesive strength, hydrogen promotes both initiating a nanocrack and blunting the nanocrack into a void, resulting in hydrogen-promoting initiation of the void. On the other hand, hydrogen can enhance the stability of the void through reducing the cohesive strength and forming a hydrogen pressure in the void.