Martensite Fractions Measured by XRD on Fracture Surfaces of Austenitic Stainless Steels Tensile Tested in Gaseous Helium and Hydrogen

Abstract Although martensitic transformation is neither necessary nor sufficient to explain hydrogen effects in austenitic stainless steels, the formation of a second phase upon straining results local strain incompatibilities within microstructure which can result assisted crack initiation. The fraction α’-martensite on fracture surfaces ten commercial steels different austenite stability was measured by quantitative x-ray diffraction (XRD). main are: (1) for given steel, martensite contents specimens tested helium were higher compared those and (2) tensile reduction area decreases with increasing content surface.