| Abstract: | Fracture of Tempered and Cold Drawn Steel in Equilibrium with Compressed Hydrogen Tensile specimens are surface activated and stored in compressed hydrogen until equilibrium is attained. Charged and uncharged reference specimens are tested in air and in compressed hydrogen. The embrittlement of colddrawn steel (plenty of traps) is independent of strain rate and is caused mainly by the prior charging. Tempered steel (fewer traps) is not embrittled by charged hydrogen but by the effect of external hydrogen during the test. The degree of embrittlement decreases with increasing strain rate. In all cases of embrittlement there is in addition a strong notch sensitivity. |
