The effect of hydrogen on dislocation dynamics

Deformation studies in numerous materials have been performed in situ in a transmission electron microscope equipped with an environmental cell to elu cidate the mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement. The primary results from t hese studies are that solute hydrogen can increase the velocity of dislocat ions, increase the crack propagation rate, decrease the stacking-fault ener gy of 310s stainless steel and increase the propensity for edge character d islocations. Evidence from bulk mechanical property tests to support these results is also discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.