Phenomenological Aspect of Hydrogen Enviroment Embrittlement of SNCM439 Steels

The hydrogen environment embrittlement of SNCM439 steels (Ni–Cr–Mo steels) was investigated in 20-MPa hydrogen gas at room temperature at different tensile strengths ranging from 800 to 1200 MPa by heat treatments. The results of tensile tests revealed that hydrogen environment embrittlement was observed as decrease of ductility, whereas the tensile strength of the specimens did not change. Although the uniform elongation of the specimens was the same in air and hydrogen, local contraction decreased with increasing tensile strength in hydrogen. In contrast to the specimens with smooth surface, the notch tensile strength of the specimens having a tensile strength of over 1000 MPa remarkably decreased. The analysis of fractures in the specimens revealed that a crack was initiated from the external of the specimens in hydrogen, whereas it was initiated from the center of the specimens in air. The fracture mode was the same in both the tensile tests with notched and notchless specimens, and the presence of hydrogen induced quasi-cleavage fracture. It was observed that intergranular fracture was dominant in highly embrittled materials, and quasi-cleavage fracture was ahead of intergranular fracture. Even in the notched specimens whose intergranular fracture was dominant, quasi-cleavage fracture was observed beneath the notch. These behaviors indicate that the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement was more remarkable in specimens with high tensile strength, and the large plastic deformation required for the formation of quasi-cleavage fracture induced hydrogen penetration and hydrogen environment embrittlement.