Hydrogen absorption behavior of titanium alloys by cathodic polarization

Titanium and Ti-5mass%Ta alloy has been utilized in nuclear fuel reprocessing plant material because of its superior corrosion resistance in nitric acid solutions. However, Ti alloy have been known to high susceptibility of hydrogen embrittlement. To evaluate properties of hydrogen absorption and hydrogen embrittlement of Ti alloys, cathodic polarization tests and slow strain rate tests (SSRT) under cathodic polarization were carried out. Results show titanium hydrides covered on the surface of metals and hydrides thickness were within 10μm. But hydride did not observed at inner part of metals. Ti and Ti-5%Ta did not show hydrogen embrittlement by SSRT under cathodic charging. These results suggested that Ti and Ti-5%Ta could absorb hydrogen. But hydrogen did not penetrate inner portion of the metals more than 10μm in depth because titanium hydrides act as barrier of hydrogen diffusion. It is considered that retardation of hydrogen diffusion hindered hydrogen embrittlement of Ti and Ti-5%Ta alloys.