Hydrogen effects on an amorphous Fe-Si-B alloy

Hydrogen absorption in and desorption from an amorphous Fe₈₀B₁₁Si₉ alloy, hydrogen effects on the microstructure of this alloy, and the possible mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in this alloy have been studied. Ribbons were electrochemically charged with hydrogen at room temperature. The interaction of hydrogen with structural defects and the characteristics of hydrogen desorption were studied by means of thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). The effects of hydrogen on the microstructure and thermal stability were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrical resistivity measurements, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phenomenon of HE was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and various mechanical testing techniques. The absence of hydride-forming elements resulted in low hydrogen solubility and low desorption temperatures. Hydrogenation at room temperature is reported for the first time to lead to either local nanocrystallization of the amorphous phase or transformation of nanocrystalline phases such as Fe_{approximately 3.5}B, originally present in the uncharged material, to a new nanocrystalline Fe₂₃B₆ phase. The susceptibility of this alloy to HE is explained in terms of high-pressure bubble formations.