Effect of heat treatment on susceptibility of duplex stainless steel to embrittlement by hydrogen

Abstract

Slow straining of smooth tensile specimens of heat treated duplex stainless steel from a fabricated pipe has been used to assess susceptibility to embrittlement by hydrogen. The effect of the proportions of ferrite and austenite in the microstructure, produced by quenching after solution treatment at temperatures between 1000 and 1300°C, on the ductility was measured. Tests were carried out by either straining in a hydrogen atmosphere or in air after thermal charging in high pressure hydrogen. The measured susceptibility increases proportionately with increase in the amount of ferrite in the structure and reflects the role of austenite in arresting propagating cracks. However, there is little doubt that the amount of austenite presents greater dominance than its orientation in this respect.