Hydrogen trapping and embrittlement in a second-generation Ni-based single crystal superalloy

This study explores the hydrogen trapping capability and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of a second-generation single crystal (SX) superalloy. Embrittlement susceptibility is greater as the duration of hydrogen charging is extended. The presence of hydrogen induces cleavage, micro-crack formation and denser slip traces. Moreover, hydrogen facilitates the formation of nano-voids and the activation of high-density dislocations, leading to denser slip bands which serve as initiation sites for micro-cracks. In addition, the desorption activation energy of hydrogen trapped at dislocations and soluble in the γ matrix is 33.7 kJ/mol, and hydrogen trapped at the γ/γ′ interface and vacancies is 42.4 kJ/mol. First-principles calculations have indicated that hydrogen reduces the binding strength at the γ/γ′ interface, which promotes the propagation of micro-cracks.