Effect of Si and Cu Addition on Hydrogen Embrittlement of Ferrite-Pearlite Steels

Jaeseok Oh; Yena Hwang; Su-Hwan Choe; Min-Seop Jeong; Seokwoo Ko; Byoungchul Hwang

doi:10.3740/MRSK.2026.36.8.290

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2026 Vol.36, Issue 8 Preview Page

Research Paper

Effect of Si and Cu Addition on Hydrogen Embrittlement of Ferrite-Pearlite Steels 페라이트-펄라이트강의 수소취성에 미치는 Si와 Cu 첨가의 영향

27 August 2026. pp. 290-297

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Abstract

This study investigated how adding Si and Cu affected the hydrogen embrittlement behavior of ferrite–pearlite steels by correlating microstructural characteristics with fracture behavior and hydrogen trapping behavior. The Base, Si-added, and Cu-added specimens were characterized using microstructural observation, tensile testing, slow strain-rate test (SSRT) under electrochemical hydrogen charging, thermal desorption analysis (TDA), and silver decoration. The Si-added specimen exhibited the smallest ferrite grain size and the lowest pearlite fraction, whereas the Cu-added specimen showed the highest pearlite fraction. Under hydrogen charging, the Si-added specimen exhibited the highest relative notch tensile strength (RNTS), while the Cu-added specimen showed the lowest RNTS. Fractographs and cross-sectional analyses revealed a tearing topography surface (TTS) near the notch region and secondary cracking in pearlite, indicating that cracks preferentially initiated within the pearlite. The Si-added specimen also showed more frequent crack deflection during propagation, suggesting improved resistance to crack propagation. TDA and silver decoration further suggested that ferrite–cementite interfaces in pearlite could be associated with hydrogen trapping. These results indicate that the hydrogen embrittlement behaviors of ferrite–pearlite steels were governed by the combined effects of pearlite-related crack initiation, hydrogen trapping, and crack propagation resistance associated with ferrite grain refinement.

Keywords

ferrite-pearlite steel

hydrogen embrittlement

relative notch tensile strength (RNTS)

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Information

Publisher :Materials Research Society of Korea
Publisher(Ko) :한국재료학회
Journal Title :Korean Journal of Materials Research
Journal Title(Ko) :한국재료학회지
Volume : 36
No :8
Pages :290-297
Received Date : 2026-06-17
Revised Date : 2026-07-11
Accepted Date : 2026-07-22
DOI :https://doi.org/10.3740/MRSK.2026.36.8.290

Korean Journal of Materials Research ISSN:1225-0562(Print) 2287-7258(Online) 한국재료학회지

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