Corrosion-induced hydrogen embrittlement in aluminum alloy 2024

The present paper focuses on the observed corrosion-induced embrittlement of alloy 2024 and tries to answer the key question on whether the observed embrittlement is attributed to hydrogen uptake and trapping in the material. Hydrogen is produced during the corrosion process and is being trapped in distinct energy states, which correspond to different microstructural sites. The formation of a hydrogen-affected zone beneath the corrosion layer is supported by fractographic analysis. Removal of the corrosion layer leads to complete restoration of yield strength but only partial restoration of ductility. Additional heat treatment to release the trapped hydrogen leads only to complete restoration of ductility.