Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Hydrogen-Induced Cracking (HIC) of Hardened and Tempered Steel Fastener Used in Space Application

  • Case History---Peer-Reviewed
  • Published:
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cadmium-plated 0.35C–3.5Ni–1.5Cr–0.5Mo steel threaded fasteners of 1230 MPa properties class are used for aerospace applications. These fasteners were torqued to 13 N·m. Few fasteners parted into two pieces while in use under sustained assembly load for a period of 50 days. The fracture surface of the failed fasteners had two distinct regions when viewed under microscope at higher magnification. Fractography revealed that the larger region consisted of predominantly intergranular features, whereas the smaller region had features of microvoid coalescence. From the metallography evidences it was concluded that the fastener failure was due to hydrogen embrittlement. Electro-deposit of cadmium was identified to be the main source for hydrogen entrapment, which could not be compelled completely by post-plating baking treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Carter, T.J., Cornish, L.A.: Hydrogen in metals. Eng. Fail. Anal. 8, 113–121 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. ASTM International, B 850-90 (reapproved 2004) standard guide for post-coating treatment of steel for reducing risk of hydrogen embrittlement

  3. Eliaz, N., Shachar, A., Tal, B., Eliezer, D.: Characteristics of hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking and tempered martensite embrittlement in high-strength steels. Eng. Fail. Anal. 9, 167–184 (2002)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Troiano, A.R.: The role of hydrogen and other interstitials in the mechanical behaviors of metals, 1959 Edward De Mille Campbell Memorial Lecture, Trans ASM, vol. 52, pp. 54–80 (1960)

  5. Oriani, R.A.: The diffusion and trapping of hydrogen in steel. Acta Metall. 18, 147–157 (1970)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Gerberich, W.W., Marsh, P.G., Hoehn, J.W.: Hydrogen induced cracking mechanism—Are there critical experiments? Hydrogen Effects Mater. Miner. Met. Mater. Soc. 539–551 (1996)

  7. Olden, V., Thaulow, C., Johnson, R.: Modelling of hydrogen diffusion and hydrogen induced cracking in supermartensitic and duplex stainless steels. Mater. Des. 29, 1934–1948 (2008)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Villalba, E., Atrens, A.: Hydrogen embrittlement and rock bolt stress corrosion cracking. Eng. Fail. Anal. 16, 164–175 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang, M., Akiyama, A., Tsuzaki, K.: Hydrogen degradation of a boron-bearing steel with 1050 and 1300 MPa strength levels. Scr. Mater. 52(5), 403–408 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Wang, M., Akiyama, E., Tsuzaki, K.: Effect of hydrogen on the fracture behavior of high strength steel during slow strain rate test. Corros. Sci. 49(11), 4081–4097 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Marcelo, A.L., Tokimatsu, R.C., Ferreira, I.: Hydrogen embrittlement in a AISI 1045 steel component of the sugarcane industry. Eng. Fail. Anal. 16, 468–474 (2009)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Beachem, C.D.: New model for hydrogen-assisted cracking (hydrogen embrittlement). Metall. Trans. 3, 437–451 (1972)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Birnbaun, H.K., Sofronis, P.: Hydrogen enhanced localized plasticity—a mechanism for hydrogen related fracture. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 176, 191–202 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lynch, S.P.: Scr. Mater. doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2009.02.031

  15. Woodtli, J., Kieselbach, R.: Damage due to hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking. Eng. Fail. Anal. 7, 427–450 (2000)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Jha, A.K., Narayanan, P.R., Sreekumar, K., Mittal, M.C., Ninan, K.N.: Hydrogen embrittlement of 3.5Ni–1.5Cr–0.5Mo steel fastener. Eng. Fail. Anal. 15, 431–439 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. P.P. Sinha, Deputy Director, VSSC (MME), for his technical support during the investigation. They are indebted to Dr. K. Radakrishnanan, Director, VSSC, for permission to publish this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Characterization Division, Materials and Metallurgy Group, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, Trivandrum, 695 022, India

    Abhay K. Jha & K. Sreekumar

Authors
  1. Abhay K. Jha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Sreekumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abhay K. Jha.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jha, A.K., Sreekumar, K. Hydrogen-Induced Cracking (HIC) of Hardened and Tempered Steel Fastener Used in Space Application. J Fail. Anal. and Preven. 9, 420–428 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-009-9277-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11668-009-9277-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation