Effect of nitrided layer on ferritic-austenitic steel on hydrogen absorption and desorption

Hydrogen permeation rate through one-side nitrided ferritic-austenitic stainless steel membranes was studied using the electrochemical detection of hydrogen. The membranes were charged with hydrogen electrolitycally generated from an aqueous NaOH solution. After termination of charging, the desorption rate of hydrogen was measured at both sides of the membrane. In this way, the amount of absorbed hydrogen and the role of the nitrided layer in hydrogen absorption and hydrogen desorption were determined. It was found that the nitrided layer impeded both the entry of hydrogen into and the desorption of hydrogen from the membrane. Thus, from the prevention of hydrogen damage, the applied nitriding can exert both the advantageous and disadvantageous effect.