STUDY ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SIC_p/2024 COMPOSITE TO HYDROGEN ENERITTLEMENT

The mechanical performance of SiC_p/2024 composite,after pre-charged with hydrogen and during the dynamical cathodic hydrogen-charging,is studied by the slow strain rate tension technique.The fractographs are examined.The hydrogen content of the composite,alter charged with hydrogen under several usually employed charging conditions,is determined.It is revealed that strong cathodic polarization deteriorates the mechanical performance for the reason of alkaline corrosion caused by the polarization.This deterioration has nothing to do with hydrogen embrittlement.The results lead to a new conclusion,that under the present test conditions,the composite suffers neither hydrogen embrittlement nor irreversible hydrogen damage.This is related to the fail in hydrogen-chaging.