EFFECT OF QUENCHING AND TEMPERING ON DIFFUSION OF HYDROGEN IN HIGH-STRENGTH ALLOY STEELS.

Abstract

The effect of quenched and tempered structure on the diffusion coefficient and solubility of hydrogen in high-strength alloy steels, such as Cr, Cr-Mo, Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Mo steels, were investigated at room temperature by the electrochemical permeation technique. The diffusion coefficient and the solubility of hydrogen were found to vary with the structure of the steel: the former is at a minimum when the steels are quenched and tempered at 300 degree C, except in the case of steel with high Mo content, while the latter reaches a maximum at that temperature.