Hydrogen-Induced Embrittlement Wear of a High-Strength, Low-Alloy Steel in an Acidic Environment

Corrosive wear of a high-strength, low-alloy steel (HSLA) was examined in 0.02 mol/L sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) solution at different polarized potentials and loads using a pin-on-disc wear device and a potentiostat. Morphologies of the wear tracks were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hydrogen content in the surface or subsurface of wear tracks was determined using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Results showed the increased material removal with a negative shift of potential in the cathodically polarized range resulted from the synergistic effect of hydrogen-induced damage and mechanical wear from hydrogen evolution on the wear surface. Increases in wear loss with potential in the anodically polarized range resulted from synergism between anodic dissolution and wear.