Hydrogen-induced change in microstructure and properties of steels: 18Cr10Mn–0.4N vis-à-vis 18Cr10Ni

Cr-Mn-N stainless steels have a cost and strength advantage over conventional Cr-Ni stainless steels. In this study microstructure and mechanical property of hydrogen-charged 18Cr10Mn-0.4N was compared with 18Cr10Ni austenitic stainless steel. This is the first such study for 18Cr10Mn-0.4N austenitic stainless steel. Electron microscopy was used to compare the deformed microstructure of the uncharged and hydrogen-charged specimens. The results are discussed in view of the current knowledge on hydrogen embrittlement. The 18Cr10Mn-0.4N steel suffered higher embrittlement mainly because it absorbed moref hydrogen.