As part of the H2FORM3G project, partners from ALBA Synchrotron and Eurecat carried out in-situ tensile experiments on hydrogen-charged steel samples. The experiments took place from 7 to 9 of April, at ESRF – the European Synchrotron in France.
Using high-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD), the team investigated how hydrogen influences deformation in 3rd generation AHSS. Samples with different hydrogen contents were tested under load, collecting 2D diffraction data from the elastic regime through plastic deformation up to fracture.
This work will help reveal how microstructure evolves, particularly the transformation of retained austenite to martensite, depending on hydrogen content and strain.
The main objective of the H2FORM3G project is to provide the necessary tools to prevent the risk of cracking during the manufacture of automotive components produced by 3rd Gen AHSS and reduce the risk of delayed fracture after forming.
