Abstract
The phenomena induced in austenitic stainless steels by cathodic charge of hydrogen were phase transformation, hydride and numerous surface cracks formation as previously reported. In this study, the hydrogen induced phases were compared with those of quench or stress induced, and the hydrides were compared with those induced in high nickel alloys. The hydrogen induced phases were found identical with those of stress or quench induced but different morphology. The hydrides formation depends on nickel contents and these hydrides themselves were unstable. The habit plane of surface cracks was determined by X-ray and optical microscope.
