Hydrogen Embrittlement of Sensitized SUS316 Steel

Abstract

Tensile tests under cathodic charging were carried out on sensitized SUS316 steel poly- and single crystals. Maximum susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (HE) appeared on the polycrystalline specimen sensitized at 973K, which was characterized by intergranular fracture. On the polycrystalline specimen, the effect of cold-working before sensitized treatment appeared prominently in the HE susceptibility and the morphology of fracture surface. On the single crystal specimen, no effect was recognized in both the sensitized temperature and prior cold-working.