Effect of low temperature on resistance of stable austenitic steel to embrittlement by hydrogen

Abstract

Tensile straining of a ‘stable’ austenitic stainless steel at subambient temperatures has revealed deformation induced transformation to martensite reaching a maximum at about 200 K. Although the particular steel concerned is only marginally embrittled by hydrogen charging at ambient temperature, the transformation to martensite coincides with increasing embrittlement at lower temperatures. The recovery of a resistance to embrittlement below 215 K is attributed to the decreasing transport of hydrogen by moving dislocations as the temperature is further decreased.

MST/1701