Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) Susceptibility of High Strength Tempered Martensite Steels

Book excerpt: "Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is identified as a serious problem even after decades of extensive research, in various industries starting from aerospace to fastener. HE is primarily responsible for the degradation of mechanical performances of a number of metals and alloys that are used nowadays. Among them, high strength steels owing to their widespread applications also suffer from HE failures to a great deal. Hence, this thesis focuses on fundamental issues influencing the susceptibility of three different grades of high strength steels designed for fastener applications.The present work includes investigation of mechanical properties both in presence and absence of hydrogen, microstructural characterisations and direct hydrogen quantification. The mechanical property test methodology is a modification of the ASTM F1624 standard test method to determine hydrogen embrittlement threshold in steels, which facilitates a unique approach to investigate the HE susceptibility of these steel grades. The microstructural characterisation process involves scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify the potential hydrogen trap states in microstructure, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Microstructural characterisation also provides useful information to predict local microstructural evolution in the presence of hydrogen and stress. Altogether, a structure-property relationship has been developed for these materials employing a comprehensive investigation process. In addition to it, fracture surface mapping using SEM indicates the mechanisms of failure associated with HE process in these materials. And finally, direct hydrogen quantification methodology using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) provides further experimental evidence to the above-mentioned facts. Thus, in this work a combined approach involving various research techniques and knowledge has been utilised to investigate the susceptibility of the steel grades and rank them according to their performances under the influence of hydrogen." --