Effect of Snow Depth on the Hydrogen Content of Steels in Snowy Environment

Abstract

The amount of hydrogen in steel that affects hydrogen embrittlement is considered to be changed with the amount of corrosion of the steel. The authors have found a relationship between the depth of snow and the amount of corrosion. In this study, the hydrogen content was examined and no correlation was found with the amount of corrosion. Under thin solution layer formed by melting snow, the main cathodic reaction is reduction of dissolved oxygen and hydrogen generation reaction is slight. The large amount of surrounding water also suppresses the acidification of the thin solution layer on the specimen, suggesting that the reaction from H_ad to H_ab by H^＋ formation and electron transfer is small.