Effect of hydrogen treatment on structure and phase state and hydrogen permeability of low-activation 10Cr12Mn20W and 10Cr9WVA steels

Phase composition, hydrogen diffusion parameters (permeability, solubility, and diffusion coefficient) and electrophysical properties of low-activatio n 10Cr12Mn20W and 10Cr9WVA steels were studied in 673-1173 K temperature ra nge in the initial normalized state and after isothermal annealing in vacuu m and hydrogen under 873 K for 600 h. It is shown that thermal treatment de creases hydrogen permeability in 10Cr12Mn20W steel and increases it in 10Cr 9WVA steel. Hydrogen flux in 10Cr9WVA ferritic/martensitic steel increases due to hydrogen decarbonization, this agrees with electrical and magnetic p roperty changes under hydrogen treatment. Permeability of tritium through t he analyzed steels is estimated and compared with the values for 2.25Cr-1Mo , 9Cr-1Mo and 316 steels. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.