Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
This work reports the thermoelectric characterization of a hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of low strength steel. Two sets of tests are performed in an electrochemical cell of H2SO4, with and without applied stress, lasting from 2 to 94 hours. Thermoelectric power (TEP) measurements are matched with ductility measurements (%RA and %EL) of samples tested in tension, as well as with microhardness measurements. Results indicate that TEP is sensitive to HE of low strength steels; the maximum variation of TEP is of ∼80nV/°C for samples tested without stress.