Work

Effects of spinodal decomposition induced by thermal aging on the hydrogen embrittlement response of Fe-20Cr-5Al alloy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: To understand the hydrogen embrittlement mechanism in the Fe-20Cr-5Al alloy for high-temperature hydrogen applications, the effects of thermal aging on hydrogen embrittlement were investigated. Thermal aging was simulated at 475 °C for 300 hours, and its effects were evaluated by examining the changes in hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity and mechanism. This was done using slow strain rate testing (SSRT) combined with cathodic hydrogen precharging. After thermal aging, hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity increased dramatically from 19.5% to 89.9%. Before aging, the influence of hydrogen on fracture behavior was negligible, indicating no significant signs of embrittlement. However, after thermal aging, the fracture mode shifted to a combination of intergranular and enhanced transgranular fracture, suggesting that hydrogen-enhanced decohesion (HEDE) became the dominant embrittlement mechanism. The observed increase in hydrogen sensitivity arises from the spatial correlation between stress concentration caused by thermal aging and hydrogen trapping associated with precharging.

Source: Journal of Materials Research and Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2025.08.155

Authors: Hee Soo Yun, Yaebi Hwang, Young-Kook Lee, Jaeyoung Lee, Un Bong Baek, Seung Hoon Nahm

Institutions: Yonsei University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Handong Global University

Language: English

Topic: Hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion behaviors in metals

Subfield: Metals and Alloys

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,640

Funders: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology