Hydrogen-Stress Cracking of Low-Carbon Martensitic Steel

Low-carbon martensitic steel was found to be less susceptible to hydrogen-stress cracking (HSC) than either cold-rolled AISI-1055 steel or quenched and tempered AISI-1074 steel at the same strength levels of 200 ksi. The results are rationalized in terms of hydrogen mobility in the various steels. Additional experiments are reported which characterize the HSC behavior of low-carbon martensitic steel. Specific factors investigated include strength level, cold rolling, tempering, and active or noble metallic coatings.