Hydrogen embrittlement of duplex steel tested using slow strain rate test

Abstract

This paper is dealing with hydrogen embrittlement of austenitic-ferritic 2205 duplex steel using the slow strain rate test (SSRT). The original material was subjected to heat treatment under 700 °C during 5 hours and following aircooling with the aim of provoking sigma phase precipitation and embrittlement of the material. The samples of both states were electrolytic saturation with hydrogen in 0,1N solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with addition KSCN during 24 hours. The hydrogen embrittlement appeared on fracture surfaces of tested tensile bars as a quasi-cleavage damage on their perimeter. From the established depth of hydrogen charging the diff usion coeffi cient of hydrogen in duplex steel with ferritic-austenitic structure and with the structure containing the sigma phase as well were estimated.