Effect of hydrogen attack on acoustic emission behavior of low carbon steel

In order to investigate the effect of hydrogen attack degree on acoustic emission (AE) behavior of low carbon steel during tensiling, specimens made of low carbon steel was exposed to hydrogen gas of 18 MPa at 450 and 500℃ for 240, 480 and 720 h respectively. Experimental results show that with increase of the hydrogen attack degree, the totally AE activity decreases during tensiling. In addition, the count of AE signals with high amplitude for the specimens with hydrogen attack keeps a constant which is less than that without hydrogen attack. It is concluded that AE signals originate in the specimens with hydrogen attack from intergranular fracture induced by methane blisterings or/and microcracks on grain boundaries.