Hydrogen environment embrittlement of astroloy and Udimet 700 (nickel-base) and V-57 (iron-base) superalloys

The sensitivity to hydrogen environment embrittlement of three superalloys was determined. Astroloy forgings were resistant to embrittlement during smooth tensile, notched tensile, and creep testing in 3.5-MN/sq m hydrogen over the range 23 to 760 C. The notched tensile strength of Udimet 700 bar stock in hydrogen at 23 C was only 50 percent of the baseline value in helium. Forgings of V-57 were not significantly embrittled by hydrogen during smooth tensile testing over the range 23 to 675 C; creep and rupture lives of V-57 were degraded by hydrogen. Postcreep tensile ductility of V-57 was reduced by 40 percent after creep exposure in hydrogen.