Strength of plasma coating and effect of a plasma coating on hydrogen entry

Abstract

The strength of a plasma coating and the effect of the plasma coating on hydrogen entry were investigated to establish a method that provides a base material with highly resistant to hydrogen entry and embrittlement. Aluminum alloy A6061, which is highly resistant to hydrogen gas atmosphere, was employed as the coating material (300 W, 17 h, ∼40 µm thickness). Two types of specimen prepared by the hydrogen-charging method were adopted: the coated and uncoated specimens were (1) immersed in 20 mass % ammonium thiocyanate aqueous solution at 313 K for 48 h, or (2) exposed to hydrogen gas atmosphere at 100 MPa and 270 °C for 200 h. Hydrogen content measurements revealed that the A6061 plasma coating is highly resistant to hydrogen entry in corrosive environments. The coating reduced hydrogen entry by ∼50% during exposure to hydrogen gas atmosphere at 100 MPa and 270 °C. Moreover, the plasma coating method was found to be applicable in the elastic deformation region of the base material.