Hydrogen Interaction with Retained Austenite Under Static and Cyclic Loading Conditions

ended

This proposal addresses the sensitivity of ultra-high strength cold rolled steels to hydrogen embrittlement, which remains a hurdle for their large-scale introduction and resulting safer, environmentally-friendlier transport applications. It is focussed on the interplay of hydrogen with retained austenite under cyclic loading conditions. The project combines state-of-the-art characterization techniques with test setups that are as close as possible to reality. The underlying mechanisms will additionally be investigated, combining ab initio methods for the hydrogen uptake and release by the austenite with continuum simulations for hydrogen distribution in the microstructure.