Influence of machining-induced martensite on hydrogen-assisted fracture of AISI type 304 austenitic stainless steel

Hydrogen-assisted fracture of AISI type 304 steel has been evaluated with a special focus on the strain-induced martensite that is produced below the specimen surface during standard turning operation. Two different surface conditions were investigated: one containing martensite, resulting from the machining process, and a martensite-free state which is obtained after a proper heat treatment. Additionally, chemical composition and thickness of oxide layers, occurring in both studied cases, were analyzed by secondary ion mass spectrometry. These two different conditions were tested at room temperature in air (ambient pressure) and in hydrogen gas (40 MPa) atmosphere, respectively. Experimental results reveal a detrimental effect of machining-induced martensite on AISI type 304 steel performance in hydrogen, leading to major differences in relative reduction of area (RRA) between the as-machined and the heat-treated state for the same material. In this context, an operating mechanism based on hydrogen diffusion is discussed.

► Hydrogen environment embrittlement of metastable austenitic stainless steel.
► Influence of austenite stability and machining-induced alpha-martensite on HEE.
► SIMS studies on influence of heat treatment on surface chemistry.
► Formation of surface cracks in dependence of heat treatment and microstructure.