Influence of electrolytic hydrogen on the etch pit density of iron (110) surfaces

Abstract

Etch pit densities on iron (110) surfaces in sulphuric acid grow linearly with the interfacial hydrogen activity in excess of a critical activity. The hydrogen activity is approximately proportional to the square root of the cathodic current density. At constant cathodic current density the etch pit density increases with temperature and decreases with external stress. Dislocations at which the excess etch pits form penetrate into the iron at a rate proportional to the hydrogen activity and the square root of time. Effects of prior hydrogen deposition on the shape of etch pits are seen at depths greater than the penetration depth of hydrogen generated dislocations. Changes of etch pit shape similar to those produced by hydrogen are also found when external stress is applied.

The results are compared to Prussin's theory in which the assumption is made that stresses accompanying diffusion of an impurity are fully relieved by plastic deformation and formation of dislocations for stresses exceeding a critical stress. While some of the predictions of the theory are met by the experiments, the dislocations penetrate into the iron much slower than diffusion of hydrogen, since dislocations cannot move fast enough, i.e. stresses are not fully relieved.