Hydrogen-enhanced creep and cracking of oxygen-free phosphorus-doped copper

Hydrogen effects on the tensile properties of oxygen-free copper doped with 50 wt. ppm phosphorus were studied under continuous electrochemical hydrogen charging. It was found that hydrogen reduces the tensile strength and uniform elongation of copper in slow strain rate tests. The copper manifests a remarkable sensitivity to hydrogen in constant load tests. It is found that hydrogen enhances the creep rate of copper. The creep rupture of copper with hydrogen manifests an intergranular dimpled fracture.