Hydrogen embrittlement of Al-Li alloys

Abstract

Hydrogen embrittlement of Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr alloys hydrogenated by cathodic charging was investigated using a three point bending test at various strain rates and temperatures. Embrittlement was observed together with planner slipped fracture surface by short time hydrogenation. The marked embrittlement was observed at a certain strain rate and temperature range. The lattice constant was found to be maximum at the region about 0.1mm inside from the specimen side surface just after hydrogenation, where the hydrogen concentration was taken to be maximum. The amount of hydrides on the specimen surface seemed to increase by hydrogenation. The variations of hydrogen embrittlement zone (HEZ) ratio with crosshead speed and temperature were similar to those of the reduction ratio of total absorbed energy (r_t) with crosshead speed and temperature.