Hydrogen effects in X30MnCrN16-14 austenitic steel

Abstract

Chrome-manganese-nitrogen austenitic steels show a technically relevant combination of proprties, i. e. high strength, high ductility, non magnetic and good corrosion resistance at costs being much lower compared to conventional chrome-nickel austenitic stainless steels which are widely used for hydrogen applications. Hydrogen environment embrittlement of steel X30MnCrN16-14 is investigated by slow displacement rate tensile testing in hydrogen atmosphere at 10 MPa and room temperature. Compared to the values in air, the elongation at fracture as well as the reduction of area are severely reduced in the presence of hydrogen. The microstructure is characterized in detail and the deformation modes are previously reported. It is assumed that the inherent planar deformation modes are facilitated by hydrogen resulting in premature failure.