Effect of electrochemical charging on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of a low-alloyed tempered martensitic steel submitted to high internal pressure

The influence of hydrogen on the mechanical behavior of a quenched and tempered 42CrMo4 steel has been evaluated by means of high internal pressure fracture tests carried out on hydrogen precharged notched cylindrical specimens. The notched cylindrical specimens were precharged for 3 h time with 1.2 mA/cm2 in two different aqueous media: 1 M H2SO4 added with 0.25 g/l As2O3 and 3.5% of NaCl solution. Hydraulic fracture tests were performed at different ramps of pressure: 7000, 220, 80, 60 and 30 MPa/h, respectively. Hydrogen damage was more marked when the acid aqueous medium (1 M H2SO4 + 0.25 g/l As2O3) was employed. In this case, a higher hydrogen concentration was introduced, leading to hydrogen decohesion micromechanisms (HEDE) near the notched region, especially when tests were performed at 60 MPa/h. Hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility is discussed in terms of the microstructural singularities and the operative fracture micromechanisms observed in each case.