Influence of hydrogen on the mechanical and fracture properties of some martensitic advanced high strength steels in simulated service conditions

• The influence of hydrogen on four MS-AHSS was investigated in simulated service conditions.
• Hydrogen had little influence on the four MS-AHSS in 3.5 wt% NaCl.
• There was little influence for hydrogen-precharged MS1300 and MS1500 at substantial stress rates.
• The diffusivities of hydrogen in MS980, MS1300 and MS1500 were similar.
• The use of a Pt counter electrode during cathodic hydrogen charging is not recommended.

This work investigated the influence of hydrogen on the mechanical and fracture properties of four martensitic advanced high-strength steels in simulated service conditions: (i) immersed in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, and (ii) at substantial applied stress rates. There was little influence of hydrogen for the four MS-AHSS in 3.5 wt% NaCl. Similarly, there was little influence of hydrogen for hydrogen-precharged MS1300 and MS1500 subjected to tensile tests at substantial stress rates. The diffusivities of hydrogen in MS980, MS1300 and MS1500 were similar. The use of a Pt counter electrode during cathodic hydrogen charging is not recommended.