The penetration of hydrogen into metal cathodes and its effect upon the tensile properties of metals and their resistance to repeated stresses; with a note on the effect of non electrolytic baths and nickel plating on these properties

Abstract

The attention of a number of workers has been directed to the effect of occluded hydrogen on the static properties of metals and particularly its effect in producing brittleness. In connection with many industrial processes pickling is resorted to and not infrequently a brittle condition of the metal is produced by the process. The occlusion of hydrogen has been offered as an explanation. Pfeil ( loc. cit .) has shown that the behaviour of fine grained iron is different from that of a single crystal when tested as a cathode, and that the hydrogen penetrates between boundaries of crystals. Edwards has shown that hydrogen passes through crystals of iron. Pfeil has also shown that:— (1) The tensile strength of a fine grained iron is not affected by the hydrogen penetration but the elongation was very considerably reduced. (2) That the temperature of the electrolytic bath considerably affects the elongation and that removal of a specimen from the bath allows the hydrogen to escape from the crystal boundaries and the material to return to its normal condition.