The effect of hydrogen on dislocation dynamics

Deformation studies in numerous materials have been performed in situ in a transmission electron microscope equipped with an environmental cell to elucidate the mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement. The primary results from these studies are that solute hydrogen can increase the velocity of dislocations, increase the crack propagation rate, decrease the stacking-fault energy of 310s stainless steel and increase the propensity for edge character dislocations. Evidence from bulk mechanical property tests to support these results is also discussed.