Hydrogen-induced cracking and blistering in alpha-brass

The cathodic hydrogen charging of alpha-brass could result in the formation of intergranular and transgranular cracks and hydrogen blisters. For 24 ho urs charging time, the lowest current density for the observation of cracks was found to be equal to 5 mA cm(-2) current density, the lowest charging time for the detection of cracks was observed to be higher than 5 hours cha rging time. For 24 hours charging time, the lowest current density was also observed to be equal to 35 mA cm(-2) for the detection of blisters. Increasing the current density from 15 to 25 mA cm(-2) results in more seve re cracks. However, the rise of current density from 35 to 85 mA cm(-2) res ults in increasing number of blisters. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.