Critical role of LUders banding in hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of medium Mn steels

The effect of Lfiders banding on hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of medium Mn steels was investigated by tuning the degree of yield point elongation (YPE). It was found that the steel with a larger YPE was more susceptible to HE. A larger YPE led to a higher local flow stress and a higher fraction of strain-induced martensite, which in turns resulted in more H-induced cracks in the Lfiders banding area and the consequent catastrophic failure. It thus suggests that Lfiders banding and the associated localized deformation play a key role in influencing the overall HE susceptibility of medium Mn steels. (C) 2020 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The effect of Lfiders banding on hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of medium Mn steels was investigated by varying the degree of yield point elongation. It was found that steels with a larger YPE were more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. The presence of Lfiders banding and localized deformation play a key role in influencing the overall hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of medium Mn steels.