Electrochemical methods for studying hydrogen diffusivity, permeability, and solubility in AISI 420 and AISI 430 stainless steels

Abstract

Hydrogen permeation and diffusivity were studied electrochemically at temperatures between 283 and 343 K at constant current for annealed and hardened AISI 420 and annealed AISI 430 stainless steel. Permeation rate, effective diffusivity, and solubility were calculated from these data. Annealed AISI 420 shows higher permeation rate and lower diffusivity than annealed AISI 430 stainless steel. Hardened AISI 420 has the highest permeation rate and lowest effective diffusivity. The calculation of solubility values from permeation data is in good agreement with the values obtained using a newly developed electrochemical hydrogen solubility measurement technique.MST/1026