Influence of electrolytic hydrogenation on cyclic crack resistance of chromium-nickel steels

Within the framework of linear fracture mechanics, we estimate the resistance of chromium-nickel 06Kh17N13M3, 07Kh16N6, and 10Kh26N5M steels to hydrogen embrittlement after various thermal treatments. We established that electrolytic hydrogenation leads to a considerable increase in the growth rate of fatigue cracks in steels with maximum in a low-amplitude range (by approximately a factor of 5–25 as compared with tests in air). The optimal mode of thermal treatment of 10Kh26N5M steel corresponds to quenching at 1293 K and annealing at 623 K. This mode ensures high plastic characteristics and maximum resistance to fatigue fracture in air in the course of electrolytic saturation with hydrogen, and long-term holding in a chloride-containing environment. We recommend this steel for the manufacture of critical parts of oil separators of marine ships.