Effect of vanadium and rare earth microalloying on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of a Fe-18Mn-0.6C TWIP steel studied using the linearly increasing stress test

Abstract The hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of a twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel was studied focusing on the influence of vanadium (V) and rare earth (RE) microalloying. The HE resistance of the TWIP steel was increased by 0.20(wt.%) V microalloying attributed to the VC precipitates dispersing the mechanical twins and so changing the brittle cleavage fracture surface from a straight smooth surface to a tortuous rough surface. 0.022(wt.%) RE microalloying significantly reduced the HE affected range and changed the total brittle fracture to a partially ductile fracture.