The effect of lattice defects induced by cathodic hydrogen charging on the apparent diffusivity of hydrogen in pure iron

Abstract

The variation of apparent hydrogen diffuoivity with the applied current density and the types and amounts of hydrogen -induced damage caused by hydrogen during the cathodic charging of hydrogen in pure iron are investigated by thermal analysis techniques, and analysed in the light of theoretical models. Internal microcracks and microvoids are generated predominantly below 1 mA cm−2 and are the major trapping sites of hydrogen in pure iron when charging hydrogen cathodically. Blisters on the surface of iron specimens are found tD be interconnected to the surface of the specimen through microcracks remaining in the vicinity of blisters. The peak temperature of hydrogen released from an internal microcrack or microvoid decreased as the applied current density is increased. The apparent diffusivity of hydrogen at 458 K decreases linearly with the reciprocal value of the square root of applied current density during cathodic charging. This implies that the amounts of internal microcracks or microvoids are linearly proportional to the lattice hydrogen solubility or the square root of the applied current density.