Positron lifetime spectroscopy was applied to examine the synergistic effect of H and plastic straining on the vacancy generation in Fe. Hydrogen enhanced the increase in mean positron lifetime, τm, by plastic straining and elevated the recovery temperature of τm on isochronal annealing. Multi-component analyses of positron lifetime spectra showed that the presence of H enhanced the generation of vacancies, rather than of dislocations. These results were consistent with previous interpretations on thermal desorption analysis of H in deformed steels.

The Effect of Hydrogen on Vacancy Generation in Iron by Plastic Deformation. K.Sakaki, T.Kawase, M.Hirato, M.Mizuno, H.Araki, Y.Shirai, M.Nagumo: Scripta Materialia, 2006, 55[11], 1031-4