Effect of vanadium content on hydrogen embrittlement of 1400 MPa grade high strength bolt steels

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.08.060
• Publication Date: 2021-08-28T22:44:46Z
• Authors: Haoyang Zhao; Pei Wang; Jinxu Li
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Abstract In this work, the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) characteristics of 1400 MPa bolt steels with three different vanadium contents of 0, 0.17 wt% and 0.34 wt% were evaluated. The characteristics of the microstructure and dislocation density of the experimental steels were analyzed, and their effects on HE were also discussed. The results showed that with increasing V content, the HE resistance of the experimental steels was improved, and the experimental steel with the highest V content possessed the best HE resistance. The V-precipitates of steels with V contents of 0.17 wt% and 0.34 wt% were reversible hydrogen traps, and the inhibitory effect of V-precipitates on hydrogen-dislocation interactions improved HE resistance. In addition, a lower dislocation density and finer martensitic structure were also beneficial for hindering hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC).