Effects of Hydrogen on the Fatigue Crack Growth Rate of Low Alloy Steels

Fatigue crack growth rate of low alloy steels in air and oxygen-controlled water, from room temperature to 288 deg C, were measured and the results were analyzed. In high dissolved oxygen water, the loading frequency effect was observed; on the other hand, the effect of loading frequency was not clearly seen in low dissolved oxygen water. Moreover, crystallographic features, especially the formation of highly localized strained zone, that is related to the hydrogen assisted cracking was observed on the fracture surface of the sample tested in the water environments. To confirm this mechanism, some samples were hydrogen charged and fatigue tested in air and in argon gas, at RT and at 288 deg. C, respectively. The fatigue crack growth rate increased in the hydrogen charged samples. The fracture surface of the hydrogen charged samples showed brittle cracking at 288 deg C as well as at room temperature, which resulted in the fast crack growth rate. (authors)