Increase in hydrogen embrittlement resistance of chromium steels

The effect of the electroslag and the vacuum-arc remelting of chromium steel has been studied, on the fatigue resistance of this steel to low-cycle loads, the fatigue tests having been made in the air, in a hydrogenizing medium which is characteristic of the resistance of the steel to the hydrogen embrittlement, as well as in a corrosion medium. It has been shown that the refining of the steel by the electroslag and the vacuum-arc remelting enhances the resistance of steel to the hydrogen embrittlement, owing to the removal of non-metallic inclusions from it, such as sulphides and oxides having the form of lines. This enhancing of the resistance of the steel to the hydrogen embrittlement depends on the extent of refining, as well as on the proportion of carbon and alloying elements in the steel, the level of strength, the structure of the metal, and on the working medium