Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Time:
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Place: This Tutorial is a hybrid event. You can join the event on-site and online.
Rhein-Sieg-Forum, Bachstraße 1, 53721 Siegburg
Moderator:
Dr.-Ing. Florian Schäfer

This workshop explores the challenges and recent advances in the mechanical testing of metals charged with hydrogen via electrochemical charging, with a focus on both fundamental research and practical testing methods. The session will address critical issues associated with experimental setups, particularly the complexities in creating reproducible electrochemical conditions. Special attention will be given to the problem of crevice corrosion during fracture mechanical testing, where localized hydrogen accumulation can exacerbate material degradation and lead to an overestimation of the effect of hydrogen. The workshop will also highlight nanomechanical techniques, such as nanoindentation and micro-pillar testing, which are increasingly used to investigate hydrogen effects at smaller length scales, providing insights into the local mechanical properties of metals and hydrogen’s interaction with defects and plastic deformation. Additionally, macroscopic testing methods, such as tensile and fatigue tests in electrochemical baths will be discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of replicating real-world conditions for reliable data. Central findings from recent studies will be presented, revealing how hydrogen influences the mechanical performance of metals and offering potential solutions to mitigate the associated risks. Through a combination of theoretical background and practical case studies, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge about hydrogen-induced degradation and the techniques employed to study it, while also identifying future directions for research in this critical area of materials science.