Hydrogen Uptake Enhancement and Accelerated Hydrogen Re-embrittlement of Cd-plated AISI 4340 Steel Bolts Coupled with IN718 Nuts

Hydrogen re-embrittlement on anodically coated high strength steels could be of great concern because the uptake of hydrogen from the corrosion process can cause component failure. A scratched Cd-coated AISI 4340 steel membrane has been coupled with different materials reproducing crevice conditions, and the hydrogen uptake has been measured using a modified Devanathan?CStachurski permeation apparatus. Experimental tests proved that, in presence of a crevice, metals nobler than cadmium strongly enhance local hydrogen reduction on exposed steel areas, thus possibly favoring brittle failure of high strength steel components during service. Therefore, the coupling of uncoated nuts made of noble passive alloys (like Inconel) to Cd-plated AISI 4340 steel bolts should be avoided.