Abstract
The hydrogen embrittlement of AISI type 316, 321 and 347 austenitic stainless steels was studied by charging thin tensile specimens with hydrogen through cathodic polarization. Throughout this study we compared solution-annealed samples of various prior austenite grain sizes with samples given the additional sensitization treatment. The results show that a finer grain size improves the resistance to hydrogen cracking regardless of the failure mode. Examination of the fracture surfaces of coarse-grained specimens tested while cathodically charged shows considerable differences between the annealed and the sensitized specimens. The sensitized specimens were predominantly intergranular, while the annealed specimens had massive regions of microvoid coalescence producing ductile rupture. AISI type 347 stainless steel is much more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement than AISI type 321 steel is, and AISI type 316 steel is the most resistant to hydrogen embrittlement. The practical implications of the experimental conclusions are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 31-41 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Materials Science and Engineering |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 1983 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Engineering