The influence of hydrogen on the mechanical properties and structure of a stable 304 stainless steel

Experiments have been carried out to study the influence of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of a stable 304 stainless steel by using a procedure for hydrogen charging which did not cause the irreversible damage of the steel which invariably accompanies electrolytic charging. The effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of the stainless steel investigated is consistent with the dislocation transport model of hydrogen embrittlement. The results reported also demonstrate that a stable 304 stainless steel is embrittled by hydrogen even though neither X-ray diffraction nor magnetic measurements revealed any phase transformation. © 1989 Maney Publishing.