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Comparative study of the embrittlement of Monel 400 at room temperature by hydrogen and by mercury

Journal Article · · Metall. Trans., A; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02643865· OSTI ID:7009176

Slow strain rate tensile tests were performed at room temperature on Monel 400 specimens of grain sizes 35 to 500 microns, in the environments of air, mercury, and electrolytically generated hydrogen. Specimens of grain size 250 microns were tested at a range of strain rates in the three environments. It was found that cracks initiated easiest in hydrogen but propagated easiest in mercury; consequently the embrittlement was usually more severe in mercury. The embrittlement decreased with increasing strain rate, and with increasing grain size in hydrogen. Embrittlement in mercury was maximum at intermediate grain sizes. A fracture sequence of intergranular to transgranular to microvoid coalescence was common. The intergranular and transgranular fractures are interpreted in terms of the reduced cohesive stress and enhanced shear models of embrittlement, respectively. 52 references.

Research Organization:
Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater; USAF, Wright Aeronautical Labs., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
OSTI ID:
7009176
Journal Information:
Metall. Trans., A; (United States), Journal Name: Metall. Trans., A; (United States) Vol. 17A; ISSN MTTAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English