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DESIGN PROPERTIES OF HIGH-STRENGTH STEELS IN THE PRESENCE OF STRESS CONCENTRATIONS AND HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT. PART 3. THE RESPONSE OF HIGH-STRENGTH STEELS IN THE RANGE OF 180,000-300,000 PSI TO HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT FROM CADMIUM ELECTROPLATING. Period Covered: September 1, 1955 to August 31, 1956

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4321919
The embrittiement of high strength steels due to the action of H introduced by Cd-electroplating was studied in sustained-load, rotating beam fatigue, and bending tests. Strength levels from 180,000 to 300,000 psi as suitable for the various steels were examined for a variety of initial conditions of stress concentration. All steels were found to be embrittled in some measure after Cd-plating and this embrittlement could not be fully eliminated, as determined in the bend test, through the baking treatment used. The improvement in properties which did result from baking was promoted by a redistribution and not an elimination of H from the steel. Failure promoted by Cd-plating is affected by the experimental conditions and has been discussed at length in the report. In the H bearing zone a crack is initiated and then depending on the experimental conditions may propagate to failure of the cross section through overloading. Crack development is apparently dependent, in part, on the composition and is minimized by reduction in C content or by an increase in Si content. Bath the sustained-load and bend tests are suitable tests for evaluation of H embrittlement in ultra-high strength steels. The rotating beam fatigue test is a relatively insensitive test of H embrittlement, but can be used to provide an excellent measure of the ''static'' notch strength of the steel. (auth)
Research Organization:
Syracuse Univ., N.Y.
NSA Number:
NSA-12-004199
OSTI ID:
4321919
Report Number(s):
WADC-TR-56-395(Pt.3); AD-11816
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English