Effects of Microstructure on the Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance of Ultra High Strength Martensitic Steel Sheets

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between hydrogen embrittlement resistance (HER) and the microstructure of low temperature tempered martensite was investigated using steel sheets which were controlled by carbon content and tempering conditions. Focusing on transition carbides and interstitial carbon content which are peculiar microstructures to low temperature tempered martensite, microstructure was evaluated by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD). The HER was evaluated by U-bending and fracture surface was observed after the slow strain rate test (SSRT). As the result, the HER was improved and fracture morphology was changed from intergranular to quasi-cleavage when the high carbon content and high temperature tempering were adopted. In the steels improved the HER, the increase of the volume fraction of transition carbides and the decrease of interstitial carbon content was confirmed. Hydrogen trapping by the transition carbides could explain the change of the HER and fracture morphology. These results suggested that the hydrogen trapping by the transition carbides was effective to improve the HER of the low temperature tempering martensitic steels.