Unveiling the Impact of Hydrogen on Void Growth in Austenitic Stainless Steel: A Crystal Plasticity Study

Austenitic stainless steel is a popular material used in various industries due to its corrosion resistance and high strength. However, the presence of hydrogen in this material can have a significant impact on its mechanical behavior, particularly in the case of void growth. This is why researchers are working hard to understand the effects of hydrogen on void growth in austenitic stainless steel.

Recently, a crystal plasticity-based finite element study was conducted to investigate the impact of hydrogen on void growth in single crystals of austenitic stainless steel. This study used the hydrogen enhanced localised plasticity (HELP) mechanism to incorporate the effects of hydrogen into the model. The results of this study showed that hydrogen significantly increases the equivalent stress and hardening responses for various stress triaxialities and Lode parameters. This is particularly true for high stress triaxialities.

This study is unique because it is the first time the influence of hydrogen on void growth has been investigated for a wide range of stress states in face centred cubic (FCC) crystals. The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of how hydrogen affects the mechanical behavior of austenitic stainless steel, which is essential information for designers and engineers who work with this material.

In conclusion, the study of hydrogen effects on void growth in austenitic stainless steel is a crucial step in unlocking the secrets of this material. This research provides a foundation for future studies to optimize the material properties of austenitic stainless steel, making it even more versatile and useful for a variety of applications.

Reference:

[1] Eugene Ogosi, Amir Siddiq, Umair Bin Asim, Mehmet E. Kartal, Crystal plasticity based study to understand the interaction of hydrogen, defects and loading in austenitic stainless-steel single crystals, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 45, Issue 56, 2020, Pages 32632-32647.