The Role of Surface Reactions and Hydrogen Surface Diffusivity on the Environmental Embrittlement of (Ni,Fe)Ti Alloys

Northwestern University, Evanston IL

Investigators

Abstract

0095381 Chung This grant deals with the fundamental issues surrounding the moisture-induced embrittlement of intermetallic alloys with a focus on (Ni,Fe)Ti. In spite of the reactivity of individual components to water, (Ni,Fe)Ti alloys are not embrittled by moisture, as long as the Fe concentration is less than 9 a/o. However, they become severely embrittled by moisture at higher Fe concentrations. This calls for a detailed re-examination of the traditionally accepted mechanism of moisture-induced embrittlement of intermetallics. That is, in addition to the dissociation of water to produce atomic hydrogen on intermetallic surfaces, what other factors are required to produce moisture-induced embrittlement? Using a surface science approach, this study looks at the water vapor reactivity of single crystal (Ni,Fe)Ti surfaces of different orientations and Fe concentrations. The objective is to determine whether or not water dissociation to produce atomic hydrogen occurs, and, if so, how strongly the atomic hydrogen is bound to the intermetallic surface. Most important to improved understanding is a quantitative determination of the diffusivity of hydrogen on these surfaces using electron-stimulated desorption. These investigations should provide the necessary atomic scale details to explain the inter-relationships among moisture-induced embrittlement, surface reactivity, and mobility of atomic hydrogen in intermetallic alloys. %%% Intermetallic alloys offer promise as high temperature structural metal alloys. One potential problem is the reactivity of intermetallics with the environment. This grant explores one facet of this problem. ***