Study of the Hydrogen Embrittlement Sensitivity of an X4CrNiMo 16.5.1 Stainless Steel and the Associated Electron Beam Weld

X4CrNiMo 16.5.1 steel (commercial name APX4) is a low carbon martensitic stainless steel known for its remarkable mechanical characteristics and its good resistance to corrosion. The use of APX4 in the manufacture of high pressure gas vessels requires a thorough understanding of its resistance to Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) as the gas can contain traces of hydrogen, and martensitic steels, and their welds, are generally very sensitive to HE. This paper deals with the first part of this study, involving the characterization of the microstructure and the mechanical properties of each zone of the electron beam weld (melted zone and four different heat affected zones), and the investigation of …