Mechanical instability in amorphous metal alloys-hydrogen systems

In the present study, we report the hydrogenation and deuteration of amorphous iron-, cobalt- and nickel-based alloys. Hydrogenation of these materials leads to a multiple acceleration of the creep deformation at room temperature. After hydrogenation, an almost full reduction of the shear resistance was observed on the iron-based alloys. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the alloys return to the initial values after a complete evacuation of hydrogen from the samples. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.