Hydrogen embrittlement resistance of pre-strained ultra-high-strength low alloy TRIP-aided steel

Hojo, Tomohiko*; Kumai, B.*; Koyama, Motomichi*; Akiyama, Eiji*; Waki, Hiroyuki*; Saito, Hiroyuki*; Shiro, Ayumi*; Yasuda, Ryo*; Shobu, Takahisa  ; Nagasawa, Akihiko*

In the study, the pre-strain effect on hydrogen embrittlement property of the ultra-high-strength transformation-induced plasticity -aided bainitic ferrite steel was investigated towards application for automobile frame parts. 3-10% tensile pre-strain suppressed hydrogen-induced mechanical degradation relative to total elongation while 12-15% pre-strained specimen did not exhibit elongation after hydrogen charging. The advantageous effect of the 3-10% pre-strain was attributed to the suppression of crack initiation related to retained austenite. The TRIP by pre-straining decreased the volume fraction of retained austenite before hydrogen charging, thereby reducing existing probabilities of preferential crack initiation sites and propagation paths. Conversely, high pre-strain such as 12-15% does not effectively work due to work hardening resulting in increases in hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility and a significant increase in hydrogen content due to the multiplication of dislocations.