Effect of electrotransport treatment on susceptibility of high-strength low alloy steel to hydrogen embrittlement

• The electrotransport theory was applied to remove the accumulated hydrogen.
• Hydrogen could be efficiently removed via charging of high electric current.
• Removed hydrogen content was increased with increase of applied current.

Electrotransport theory is defined as mass transportation of solute such as hydrogen in metal under the influence of an electrostatic force field. In this study, electrotransport treatment was applied to remove the accumulated hydrogen inside of the high-strength low alloy steel. The effectiveness of the electrotransport treatment was evaluated by hydrogen concentration measurement, slow strain rate test, and fracture surface analysis. The efficiency of electrotransport treatment is improved with increasing applied current and time, and the highest efficiency was obtained as 88.7% at 450 A for 40 min. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of specimen after electrotransport treatment was enhanced dramatically in comparison with that of specimen under hydrogen charging condition. The brittle fracture mode was observed on the hydrogen charged specimen, but a clear ductile fracture mode was observed on the specimen after electrotransport treatment. These results confirm that the electrotransport treatment is effective to remove the accumulated hydrogen inside of the high-strength low alloy steel.