Abstract
Abstract The susceptibility and fracture mechanism of hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) of mild steel in an overprotective marine clay environment were investigated to identify cracking nucleation sites, crack initiation times, and cracking processes. Specimens were subjected to slow strain rate testing (SSRT) and to the fracture surface topography analysis (FRASTA) technique. The steel was susceptible to HAC in 30% marine clay. Microcrack initiation occurred at defects such as grain boundaries. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) showed manganous sulfide (MnS) existed near the crack initiation sites. H probably was trapped at the MnS sites and concentrated through the motion of dislocations when the crack initiated. The HAC mechanism in the soil environment was found to be similar to that of hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC).
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