Anomalous Isotope Effects during Hydrogen Embrittlement of Structural Materials in Electrolytes

Abstract

The critical stress intensity factors (KHE) in the case of hydrogen embrittlement of high-strength steels, titanium and aluminium alloys in electrolyte solutions in ordinary and deuterium water and in their mixtures have been determined. Two anomalous isotope effects have been discovered: I - the susceptibility of titanium and aluminium alloys to hydrogen embrittlement is higher in deuterium water than in ordinary water; II - the KHE values for steels in mixtures of ordinary and deuterium water are higher than in ordinary water if the potential is increased. The possible reasons for these effects are discussed.