Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptivity of Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel in Wet-Dry Cyclic Simulated Marine Atmospheric Environment

Abstract

Hydrogen permeation and embrittlement behavior of hot-dip galvanized steels in wet-dry cyclic simulated marine atmospheric environment was investigated by hydrogen permeation current measurement using modified Devanathan-Stachurski cell, slow strain rate tensile test and scanning electron microscopy technique. It was found that hydrogen absorption was accelerated in wet-dry cyclic environment. On the other hand, hydrogen absorption and permeation reduced the percentage elongation after fracture of galvanized steel specimens; meanwhile, the fracture characteristics of samples fringe occurred some lacerated phenomena, i.e., galvanized steels show a higher susceptivity of hydrogen embrittlement when exposed to wet-dry cyclic marine atmospheric environment.