Comparison of tensile and impact behavior of carbon steel in H2S environments

The present research reports the effect of hydrogen sulfide pressure on the tensile and impact behavior of carbon steel. Hydrogen content measurement was conducted due to the relationship between hydrogen and mechanical behavior. A remarkable increase in the relative tensile strength and plasticity loss was observed as hydrogen sulfide pressure increased. However, the Charpy absorbed energy showed no obvious change with increase of H₂S pressure from 0.1 MPa to 1.6 MPa, even though a significant decrease compared to that of as-received steel. Combined with the results of hydrogen content measurement, it was found that hydrogen has a profound effect on the tensile and impact behavior of steel. Fractography of the corroded tensile and impact specimens exhibited mixed ductile–brittle rupture. In addition, the brittle zone on the fracture surface increased for corroded tensile specimens and showed nearly similar area fraction for corroded impact specimens as H₂S pressure increased. A probable mechanism is proposed to interpret the difference in the tensile and impact results.