Evaluation of Susceptibility to Hydrogen Embrittlement—A Rising Step Load Testing Method
- 1 Mine Management Division, Department of Mining & Mineral Resources, Chinalco China Copper Corporation Limited, Beijing, China
- 2 Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Abstract
Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a dangerous reaction that puzzled the material world for a long time. Hydrogen embrittlement is a type of deterioration which can be linked to corrosion and corrosion-control processes. It involves the introduction of hydrogen into a component, an event that can seriously reduce the ductility and load-bearing capacity, cause cracking and catastrophic brittle failures at stresses below the yield stress of susceptible materials. Presently this phenomenon is not completely understood and hydrogen embrittlement detection, in particular, seems to be one of the most difficult aspects of the problem. Although the process cannot be understand completely, method such as baking can reverse the process of hydrogen embrittlement and RSL (Rising Step Load) testing presents an excellent way to test the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement in the steel and its alloys. Different specimens were made to facilitate the testing. This study determines the effect of coating process have on the brittleness of the material and use of RSL (Risisng Step Load) mechanical loading test method to qualify plating processes for the risk of internal hydrogen embrittlement. The paper introduces the different causes of the hydrogen embrittlement, especially the zinc coating process and the hot dip galvanizing process. Subsequently, hydrogen embrittlement prevention and testing are discussed, as well as the current McGill-established RSL (Rising Step Load) bend testing’s principle, potential set-up, tested specimens and some of the critical results. Finally, some of the future development of the hydrogen embrittlement prevention will be covered.
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