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Hydrogen-enhanced cracking of superalloys

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Abstract

Internal hydrogen embrittlement was studied in two nickel-base superalloys (IN718 and IN625) and one iron-base superalloy (A286). Subcritical crack growth (SCG) measurements were made on uniformly precharged specimens containing up to 50 weight parts per million (wt ppm) hydrogen, and the behavior was correlated with metallographic observations. For intermediate hydrogen concentrations, three-stage SCG ratevs stress intensity behavior was observed in IN718 and IN625 but not in A286. For all alloys, the threshold stress intensity decreased with increasing hydrogen concentration. Cracking in the nickel alloys was transgranular, and there was a transition from dimpled to faceted failure as the hydrogen concentration increased. Failure in A286 was mainly by intergranular microvoid coalescence at high hydrogen concentrations. Enhanced localization of plasticity and void pressurization due to hydrogen are proposed to explain the observed hydrogen embrittlement of these alloys. The effects of hydrogen on the stacking fault energy, trapping sites, microstructure, and cracking ahead of the main crack front are discussed with reference to the above alloys and their hydrogen embrittlement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nalco Chemical Company, 60563-1198, Naperville, IL

    P. D. Hicks (Senior Engineer)

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana—Champaign, 61801, Urbana, IL

    C. J. Altstetter (Professor of Physical Metallurgy and Associate Dean of Engineering)

Authors
  1. P. D. Hicks
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  2. C. J. Altstetter
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Formerly Research Assistant, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Hicks, P.D., Altstetter, C.J. Hydrogen-enhanced cracking of superalloys. Metall Trans A 23, 237–249 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02660868

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02660868

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