On the effect of the temperature of liquid hydrogen (-252.8° C.) On the tensile properties of forty-one specimens of metals comprising (a) pure iron 99.85%; (b) four carbon steels; (c) thirty alloy steels; (d) copper and nickel; (e) four non-ferrous alloy

Abstract

The effect of low temperatures on the mechanical properties of metals, and specially of iron and steel, first received active attention many years ago. The earliest investigations were stimulated by the practical importance of this effect, which, it was known or suspected, was to embrittle ordinary iron and steel. The first reports of any magnitude on the subject were those by the Canadian Dominion Board of Trade and the German Railways. Both of these reports appeared in 1871, and were mostly concerned with the possible dangers through iron and steel becoming brittle owing to the specially low natural temperatures, occurring over large districts in those countries. The practical importance of the behaviour of iron and steel at low temperatures has since increased with the development of refrigeration and the liquefaction of gases on a practical scale, also through the use of aircraft, which in the higher altitudes experience temperatures as low as — 50° C. or even still lower. The subject is also of considerable interest from the purely scientific point of view. Much information has been accumulated regarding the effect on the mechanical and other properties of iron and steel at above room temperatures, the acquirement of which knowledge has in recent years been much stimulated by the increasing use of what are known as heat-resisting steels. Such knowledge cannot be regarded as complete without exploring the whole possible range of temperature.