Skip to main content
Log in

Environmental hydrogen embrittlement of an α-β titanium alloy: Effect of microstructure

  • Published:
Metallurgical Transactions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Environmental hydrogen embrittlement of a Ti-6 Al-4 V alloy has been studied as a function of test displacement rate and of variations inα- β microstructure. Embrittlement in low pres sure (∼1 atm) gaseous hydrogen was inversely dependent on test displacement rate and strongly dependent on microstructure. At a given displacement rate, microstructures having a continuous α-phase matrix were less severely embrittled than those having a continuous β-phase matrix. Further, brittle fracture occurred in the former microstructures by transgranular cleavage and in the latter microstructures by intergranular separation. These observations are consistent with previous studies made on slow strain-rate embrittlement of hydrogen-charged titanium alloys and are explained in terms of relative hydrogen transport rates within the α-phase and β-phase titanium.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. V. A. Livanov, B. A. Kolachev, and A. A. Buhanova:The Science, Technology and Application of Titanium, R. I. Jaffee and N. E. Promisel, eds., pp. 561-75, Pergamon Press, 1970.

  2. E. J. Ripling:J. Metals, 1956, vol. 8, pp. 502–03.

    Google Scholar 

  3. R. E. Johnson:The Science Technology and Application of Titanium, R. I. Jaffee and N. E. Promisel, eds., pp. 1175–86, Pergamon Press, 1970.

  4. Perspective, Technical Information Department, Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. 1970.

  5. R. J. Walter and W. T. Chandler:Rocketdyne Research Report, R-7780-1, February 1969.

  6. W. F. Brown and J.E. Srawley:Plane Strain Crack Toughness Testing of High Strength Metallic Materials, ASTM Tech. Publ. 410, ASTM (Philadelphia), 1965.

  7. J. C. Williams and M. J. Blackburn:Trans. ASM, 1967, vol. 60, pp. 373–83.

    Google Scholar 

  8. T. P. Papazoglou and M. T. Hepworth:Trans. TMS-A1ME, 1968, vol. 242, pp. 682–85.

    Google Scholar 

  9. C. M. Craighead, G. A. Lenning, and R. I. Jaffee:Trans. AIME, 1956, vol. 206, pp. 923–28.

    Google Scholar 

  10. D. N. Williams, F. R. Schwartzberg, and R. I. Jaffee:Trans. ASM, 1960, vol. 52,pp.183–90.

    Google Scholar 

  11. D. N. Williams:Report on Hydrogen in Titanium and Titanium Alloys, Report No. 100, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, May, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  12. D. A. Mauney:Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, June, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nelson, H.G., Williams, D.P. & Stein, J.E. Environmental hydrogen embrittlement of an α-β titanium alloy: Effect of microstructure. Metall Trans 3, 473–479 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02642051

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02642051

Keywords

Navigation