The diffusion behavior was studied by performing permeation measurements on fine-grained foils which had been produced by electrodeposition. The permeation data were analyzed by using a modified version of the Hart equation. The grain boundary diffusivity at 30C was at least 3 x 10-12m2/s. This was a factor of 40 times greater than the lattice diffusivity. However, the analysis indicated that a 1000-fold increase might not be unreasonable. The activation energy for grain boundary diffusion was 30kJ/mol. This was approximately equal to 75% of the activation energy for H diffusion in Ni monocrystals.

Grain Boundary Diffusion of Hydrogen in Nickel. T.M.Harris, R.M.Latanision: Metallurgical Transactions A, 1991, 22[2], 351-5

 

Table 104

Grain Boundary Diffusion of H in Ni

 

Material

Temperature (K)

D (cm2/s)

small (25 grains

298

7.7 x 10-10

large (150 grains

298

4.6 x 10-10

98% cold-worked

298

2.2 x 10-10

small (25 grains

333

3.1 x 10-9

large (150 grains

333

1.9 x 10-9

98% cold-worked

333

1.1 x 10-9

small (25 grains

373

1.3 x 10-8

large (150 grains

373

1.2 x 10-8

98% cold-worked

373

4.6 x 10-9