Hydrogen embrittlement of 316L type stainless steel

Hydrogen embrittlement tests on type 316L stainless steel are performed inc luding cathodic charging during slow strain rate tests. Brittle multiple cr acking is observed and relationships between crack growth rate and diffusio n are analysed. The influence of hydrogen on the morphology of ductile frac ture is found after fractographic examination. Two aspects of ductile failu re are observed in accordance with the hydrogen content of the sample; a re duced density of microvoids for higher hydrogen contents and brittle second ary cracking in addition to ductile fracture surfaces for lower hydrogen co ntents. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.