The influence of the hydrogenation process on the microstructure and properties of metallic materials

Hydrogen, which belongs to the group of the smallest elements, can freely penetrate the structure of metallic materials and cause enormous damage. This phenomenon may occur due to various conditions and may have different effects on the properties of materials. Understanding these mechanisms is important in the era of changing to alternative energy sources. This situation may occur in combustion engines powered by hydrogen-enriched fuel. The work analyzed the impact of various hydrogenation processes on the properties of aesthetic steel, which is allergic to the formation of carbides at the grain boundaries, such a microstructure is intended to simulate the least favorable working conditions. The work was aimed at evaluating the effects of different hydrogenation methods on changes in the properties of the AISI 310s steel membrane. In the work, electrolytic hydrogenation and heat treatment procedures in a hydrogen atmosphere were used. Investigations of changes in material properties included microhardness and in-situ strength tests in a scanning electron microscope chamber. Research has shown that both processes increase the hardness of materials and change the characteristics of stretching curves.