Effect of solution annealing temperature on the hydrogen-assisted cracking behavior of the ferrite-martensite-austenite multiphase stainless steel: The role of ferrite and martensite phases

Proper heat treatment is crucial for metallic materials to resist hydrogen embrittlement (HE). However, the influence of solution annealing temperature on the hydrogen-assisted cracking behavior of multiphase steels remains insufficiently understood. Herein, we have clarified this question and identified the contributions of ferrite and martensite phases in a multiphase stainless steel. Our findings reveal that martensite exhibits superior resistance to crack propagation compared to ferrite. Increasing solution annealing temperature promotes hydrogen diffusion and deteriorates HE resistance by increasing the ferrite fraction. This research offers a new insight into developing HE-resistant multiphase steels from the perspective of microstructural optimization.