Evaluation of Hydrogen Embrittlement of Cr-Mo Low Alloy Steel by Slow Strain Rate Technique With Cathodically Charged Specimen

As an alternative method to slow strain rate technique (SSRT) under high-pressure hydrogen gas evaluation, SSRT was performed with a cathodically charged specimen. Cr-Mo low alloy steel with a tensile strength of 1000 MPa grade was selected as a test material. Cathodic charging was performed in 3% NaCl solution and at a current density in the range of 50–600 A/m2. The effect of specimen size on the hydrogen embrittlement properties was evaluated. Relative reduction of area (RRA) values obtained by tests at a cathode current density of 400 A/m2 were equivalent to those performed in hydrogen gas at pressures of 10 to 35 MPa. Fracture surface observations were also performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The quasi-cleavage fracture surface was observed only after rupture of small specimens that were subjected to hydrogen charged tests. It was also necessary for the diameter of the specimen to be small to form the quasi-cleavage fracture surface. The results indicated that to simulate the high-pressure hydrogen gas test, a specimen with a smaller parallel section diameter that is continuously charged until rupture is preferable.