Possibility of false interpretations of hydrogen measurements in ferritic steel after an electrochemical cathodic charging process
By Jeong, Yeong Jae; Kim, Sung Jin
Published in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
2020
Abstract
In an electrochemical charging process applied before measuring the level of hydrogen in ferritic steels, two different side effects, a decrease in diffusible hydrogen content from steel and the detachment of 2nd phase particles from the steel surface, can occur, even during cathodic charging with a high charging current. Neglecting these side effects-associated with the surface chemistry during the electrochemical charging process can result in a false interpretation of the hydrogen diffusion and trapping behaviors in steel, producing conflicting data. A mechanistic reason for the side effects is provided based on the experimental results.