Electrochemical Hydrogen-Charging Effect on the Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Behavior of Deformed Ti Alloy

In this work, hydrogen is introduced into deformed Ti alloys via cathodic electrolysis under various charging conditions, and the microstructures and mechanical properties of the specimens are examined. The presence of hydrides is verified using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction analysis based on a rescanning approach using local pattern averaging. Hydrogen charging induces changes in the microstructure, making it possible to determine the hydrogen penetration depth. Vickers hardness tests are then performed to assess the extent of hydrogen penetration in the Ti alloys. Compression tests are conducted to further understand the impacts of hydrides on the mechanical reliability of hydrogen-charged Ti alloys. To reinforce the experimental findings, numerical simulations are conducted utilizing experimental data to comprehend hydrogen diffusion in the Ti alloys. Subsequently, the hydrogen diffusion mechanism in the hydrogen-charged specimens is verified through the obtained results.