Multi-scale observation of hydrogen-induced, localized plastic deformation in fatigue-crack propagation in a pure iron

In order to study the influence of hydrogen on plastic deformation behavior in the vicinity of the fatigue crack-tip in a pure iron, a multi-scale observation technique was employed, comprising electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI), electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analyses successfully demonstrated that hydrogen greatly reduces the dislocation structure evolution around the fracture path and localizes the plastic flow in the crack-tip region. Such clear evidence can reinforce the existing model in which this type of localized plasticity contributes to crack-growth acceleration in metals in hydrogen atmosphere, which has not yet been experimentally elucidated.