On the role of hydrogen during cracking of high-strength steels in chloride solutions

Hydrogen distribution in different parts of metal after its contact with the corrosion medium is studied. Results of investigations into hydrogen distribution in different metal zones after corrosion crack growth by 22-25 mm, are presented. The crack propagation in the high-strength steel in the sodium chloride solution is shown to become easier by hydrogen brittleness of separate regions of metal. The possible places of crack initiation are zones which are at a certain distance from the peak of stress concentrator and containing an increased concentration of dissolved hydrogen