The Effect of Hydrogen on the Ductility of Electrodeposited Ni‐P Amorphous Alloys

Abstract

Electrodeposited amorphous alloys are extremely brittle as compared to the analogous material prepared by rapid solidification. The effect of hydrogen on the ductility of electrodeposited Ni‐P amorphous alloys has been quantified. Two forms of hydrogen were indicated, atomic and molecular. Atomic hydrogen within the alloy possibly forms a hydride. Unlike the melt‐quenched material, a significant amount of hydrogen (in molecular form) was identified within the electrodeposited material; however, tensile tests and low‐temperature vacuum annealing indicate that either type of hydrogen has little effect on the ductility. The brittleness appears to be caused by voids which were observed within the electrodeposit. Gas pressure within the voids has been estimated to be far less than the critical pressure for crack propagation. In addition, removal of all hydrogen does not significantly increase the ductility. Thus, electrodeposited Ni‐P alloys appear not to exhibit classical hydrogen embrittlement. Instead, voids within the electrodeposit may provide sites for fracture nucleation.