Evaluation of Ferritic-Pearlitic Steels Degradation Under the Influence of Low Concentration of Hydrogen

The results of research on the characteristics of the interaction of low-concentration hydrogen with low-carbon (ferrite-pearlite class) steels using the magnetoelastic acoustic emission (MAE) method are presented in this chapter. It was established that low concentrations of hydrogen in the structure of low-carbon steels do not significantly affect their elastic characteristics. Optimum annealing regimes of steels have been determined to ensure maximum remagnetization after hydrogenation. The influence of hydrogen on the sum of amplitudes of MAE signals for undeformed and plastically deformed steel was determined, and the effect of carbon content in steel on the manifestation of hydrogen in it was estimated. The growth of MAE activity up to a certain concentration of hydrogen, and then its decrease is illustrated. It is important to take this into account when developing techniques for non-destructive control of the local concentration of hydrogen in such materials.