Assessment of Hydrogen Accumulation Behavior in Al–Zn–Mg Alloy under Strain with Kelvin Force Microscopy

Abstract

Hydrogen embrittlement in aluminum alloys occurs due to local hydrogen accumulation during deformation. Investigating hydrogen diffusion with plastic deformation can help researchers further understand hydrogen embrittlement behavior in terms of its occurrence condition. We assessed hydrogen accumulation behavior in Al–Zn–Mg alloys under strain by combining tensile testing with Kelvin force microscopy. Additionally, the effects of microstructures on hydrogen accumulation were analyzed in detail. Hydrogen accumulated around specific grain boundaries, and it was likely that accumulated hydrogen was repartitioned to the generated vacancies, due to deformation, and the precipitate interfaces.