Hydrogen embrittlement behavior of high Mn TRIP/TWIP steels

Abstract

The hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of high strength TRIP/TWIP steels with the tensile strength of 600 Mpa to 900 Mpa grade was investigated using cathodically hydrogen charged specimens. TWIP steels with full austenite structure show a lower hydrogen content than do TRIP steels. The uniform distribution of strong traps throughout the matrix in the form of austenite is considered beneficial to reduce the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of TWIP steels. Moreover, an austenite structure with very fine deformation twins formed during straining could also improve the ductility and reduce notch sensitivity. In U-bend and deep drawing cup tests, TWIP steels show a good resistance to hydrogen embrittlement compared with TRIP steels.