Olga Todoshchenko

Role of Nonmetallic Inclusions in Hydrogen Embrittlement of High-Strength Carbon Steels with Different Microalloying

High-strength carbon steels of 1200 MPa strength level with different microalloying were tensile tested at constant extension rate and constant load under continuous electrochemical hydrogen charging. The results show that hydrogen markedly reduces elongation and time to fracture of all the studied steels. Fractography of the steels shows that nonmetallic inclusions (NMIs) play the major role in crack initiation in hydrogen-charged specimens. The role of NMIs in the hydrogen-induced fracture of steels is discussed.

Gamma radiation induces hydrogen absorption by copper in water

One of the most intricate issues of nuclear power is the long-term safety of repositories for radioactive waste. These repositories can have an impact on future generations for a period of time orders of magnitude longer than any known civilization. Several countries have considered copper as an outer corrosion barrier for canisters containing spent nuclear fuel. Among the many processes that must be considered in the safety assessments, radiation induced processes constitute a key-component. Here we show that copper metal immersed in water uptakes considerable amounts of hydrogen when exposed to γ-radiation. Additionally we show that the amount of hydrogen absorbed by copper depends on the total dose of radiation. At a dose of 69 kGy the uptake of hydrogen by metallic copper is 7 orders of magnitude higher than when the absorption is driven by H2(g) at a pressure of 1 atm in a non-irradiated dry system. Moreover, irradiation of copper in water causes corrosion of the metal and the formation of a variety of surface cavities, nanoparticle deposits, and islands of needle-shaped crystals. Hence, radiation enhanced uptake of hydrogen by spent nuclear fuel encapsulating materials should be taken into account in the safety assessments of nuclear waste repositories.

Thermal Desorption of Hydrogen from AISI 316L Stainless Steel and Pure Nickel

Hydrogen diffusion and trapping in AISI 316L stainless steel and pure nickel are studied with thermal desorption spectroscopy method. Specific features of hydrogen uptake and desorption for a multi-component alloy in comparison with that for pure metal and the effects of hydrogen concentration profile after electrochemical charging on the hydrogen desorption are discussed. It is shown that hydrogen diffusion and trapping in multi-component alloy are caused by the specific atomic distribution of hydrogen in the crystal lattice of alloy.

Hydrogen effects on fracture of high-strength steels with different micro-alloying

Abstract Constant load tests of high-strength carbon steels with different micro-alloying using strengths in the range of 1000–1400 MPa were performed at ambient temperature under continuous electrochemical hydrogen charging. Hydrogen markedly affects delayed fracture of all the studied steels. Fractography of the studied steels shows that fracture mechanism depends on the chemical composition of the studied steels and hydrogen-induced cracking exhibits intergranular or transgranular character occurring often in the form of hydrogen flakes. The size and chemical composition of non-metallic inclusions are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Hydrogen-induced cracking initiates at TiN/TiC particles in steels with Ti alloying. Crack paths are studied with electron backscatter diffraction mapping to analyze crack initiation and growth. The thermal desorption spectroscopy method is used to analyze the distribution of hydrogen in the trapping sites. The mechanisms of hydrogen effects on fracture of high-strength steels are discussed.