Effect of nitrogen-addition on the absorption and diffusivity of hydrogen in a stable austenitic stainless steel

An austenitic stainless steel (SUS316L) was prepared with and without addition of solute nitrogen. The effect of cold-working and nitrogen addition on hydrogen solubility and hydrogen diffusion were investigated. High-pressure hydrogen gas and thermal desorption techniques were used. Increasing dislocation densities were related to a higher hydrogen content and higher nitrogen content related to a lower hydrogen content. Both dislocations and nitrogen had a negligible effect on hydrogen diffusion. The different hydrogen contents in the dislocations and the metal lattice, as well as trapping and diffusion activation energies explained the lack of effect of dislocations on hydrogen solubility.