Hydrogen embrittlement processes in microalloyed steel notched tensile samples

In this work, two microalloyed steels, one used for oil&gas pipelines and the other one for structural components in hydrotreating reactors in petrochemical industries, have been studied under hydrogen embrittlement (HE) conditions. They have been cathodically charged with hydrogen under different aggressive conditions, its hydrogen content being determined afterwards. In order to know the effect of triaxiality on the HE behaviour of this steel, two different types of axisymmetric round notched tensile specimens have been tested under continuous hydrogen charging processes, whilst varying cathodic charging conditions and loading rate. The effects on the global mechanical characterization have been analysed, as well as the correlation between the observed fracture micromechanisms with both local environmental (as hydrogen concentration) and mechanical conditions (as hydrostatic stress and plastic strain determined with a finite elements analysis). Also, subcritical cracking due to embrittlement has been analysed and compared with those obtained by fracture mechanics standardised specimens.