Electrochemical hydrogen permeation measurement through high-strength steel under uniaxial tensile stress in plastic range

Abstract

In the electrochemical hydrogen permeation test for high-strength steels under plastic loading, the failure of palladium coating has raised controversy over the reliability of the permeation data. To avoid rupture of a palladium layer under plastic stress, a new permeation technique was employed. This study clearly proves that the palladium film obtained by the new technique leads to a highly stable background current even under severe stress conditions, ensuring the reliability of the permeation data under both elastic and plastic stress. (C) 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.