The Role of Hydrogen in the Stress Corrosion Failure of High Strength Al-Zn-Mg Alloys and Sensitised Austenitic Stainless Steels.
Abstract
The report is divided into two parts covering each of the materials studied. Part 1. It has been found that exposure of an Al-Zn-Mg alloy to water vapour saturagated air results in loss of ductility and subsequent formation of hydrogen bubbles at high energy sites such as grain boundaries. The rate of embrittlement depends upon the prior heat treatment of the alloy: thus for a given hydrogen level one microstructure may be brittle while another may still exhibit some ductility. Fractographic studies have indicated that the distribution of hydrogen within the alloy determines the mode of fracture. Part 2. Experimental techniques have been developed to study the stress corrosion of stainless steel. Preliminary characterisation of the material (302 grade stainless steel) is in progress. In both parts of the report proposed future studies are described.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA052407
Entities
People
- F. J. Humphreys
- G. Lackey
- H. M. Flower
- L. Christodoula
- P. R. Swann
Organizations
- Imperial College London