Effect of cathodic hydrogen-charging current density on mechanical properties of prestrained high strength steels

Abstract The present work investigated the effect of cathodic hydrogen-charging current density on mechanical properties of prestrained high strength steels. This was done by tensile tests on both hydrogen-charged and -uncharged prestrained specimens at a cross-head displacement speed of 0.03 mm/min. The influence of prestrain on hydrogen behavior was also studied using an electrochemical permeation technique. The results show that the relationship between ultimate tensile strength of the hydrogen-charged specimens (UTS-H) and prestrain depends on current density. The UTS-H decreases with increasing current density independent on prestrain. With an increase in prestrain the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen gradually decreases, which is attributed to increasing dislocations density acted as hydrogen traps. SEM fractograph reveals that hydrogen charging causes a change from ductile to brittle failure.