Abstract
Hypereutectoid martensitic steels possess excellent hardness levels which make them attractive materials for specific industrial applications. However, they can contain cracks and/or retained austenite after quenching which show a particular interaction with hydrogen (H). Hence, this work evaluates the interaction between H and a martensitic Fe-1.1C alloy by combining a wide variety of (H) characterization techniques with a systematic approach for specially designed H charged and heat treated samples. A detailed analysis of the microstructure for every condition serves as the basis for the interpretation. The results show that the presence of H leads to additional cracking and branching or growth of pre-existing quench cracks. Moreover, it is shown that when the temperature exceeds the retained austenite decomposition temperature while the austenitic grains contain H, additional cracking occurs which increases the amount of reversible H trapping sites thus raising the HE susceptibility.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
