Hydrogen Diffusion in Austenitic Stainless Steels

Abstract

The electrochemical permeation technique was used to evaluate the hydrogen diffusion, and analyse its interdependent solubility and trapping behaviour in 9 austenitic stainless steels. The hydrogen diffusion of all alloys obeyed Arrhenius relationships in the temperature range between 25 °C to 100 °C. The apparent diffusion coefficients were determined and the relevant activation energies were estimated. It was observed that Ni, Mo, Mn and N, among other alloying elements, clearly effect the hydrogen diffusion.