Effect of Electrochemical Cathode Hydrogen Charging on Mechanical Properties of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

The hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy can cause sudden brittle fracture of structural parts, which can easily cause safety hazards. In this work, electrochemical cathodic hydrogen charging was performed on AZ31 magnesium alloy, and its effect on the tensile mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy was studied using slow strain rate test (SSRT), hydrogen content measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results showed that the mechanical properties of the alloy specimens decreased with the prolongation of hydrogen charging time, and the hydrogen content increased with the prolongation of hydrogen charging time. Meanwhile, as hydrogen charging proceeded, hydrogen diffused on the grain boundaries of the magnesium alloy substrate, and the lattice constant of the cell increased, which further decreased the average binding energy and the interatomic binding force of magnesium alloy grains and finally improved the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity (IHE) of AZ31 magnesium alloy.

Keywords

• az31 magnesium alloy|cathode hydrogen charging|hydrogen induced cracking (hic)|hydrogen embrittlement