A new method for studying thermal desorption of hydrogen from metals based on internal friction technique

Many hydrogenated pure metals and industrial alloys with FCC lattices show a distinct internal friction peak above room temperature caused by the thermal desorption of hydrogen. Based on these observations, a new method for studying the hydrogen diffusivity and the interaction of hydrogen with lattice defects is proposed for the temperature range of 250-500 K. The desorption origin of the peak was studied in detail in hydrogen-charged Inconel 600 alloys with different carbon contents. The peak was shown to possess transient and non-relaxation nature. In some cases, a fine structure of the peak caused by hydrogen traps can be observed. A theoretical model of the thermal desorption effects on the losses of mechanical energy, i.e., internal friction, in metals is developed. (orig.)