Effect of annealing and UNSM treatment on the hydrogen embrittlement resistance of LPBF-printed 316L steel

Keywords

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), 316L steel, hydrogen embrittlement, high-temperature annealing, Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (UNSM).

Cite as

Efremenko B. V., Chabak Yu. G., Falat L., Efremenko V. G., Аmanov А., Syrotyuk А. М., and Tsvetkova E. V. Effect of annealing and UNSM treatment on the hydrogen embrittlement resistance of LPBF-printed 316L steel. Physicochemical Mechanics of Materials. 2026. 62(1), 017-030.

https://doi.org/10.15407/pcmm2026.01.017

Abstract

The laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) method enables the fabrication of complex-shaped 316L steel parts; however, a cellular structure with a high density of dislo­cations and macrodefects is formed in it, thereby increasing its susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). The influence of annealing (900°C) and ultra­sonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) on the resistance of LPBF-manufactured 316L steel to HE is investigated. In the as-printed state, the steel absorbs a significant amount of hydro­gen (8.9 ppm after 115 h electrochemical hydrogenation), resulting in a 4.9–14% reduc­tion in its mechanical properties. Post-LPBF processing (annealing at 900°C, UNSM, in various sequences) substantially reduces hydrogen absorption and increases resistance to hydrogen embrittlement by destroying the cellular structure (during annealing) or by den­sifying the surface and forming a hardened nanostructured layer (during UNSM). A corre­lation between the hydrogen embrittlement coefficient and hydrogen concen­tration in the samples was revealed: noticeable HE manifestations are observed at hydrogen concen­trations > 6–6.5 ppm. Combined processing (annealing + UNSM + final annealing) forms fine recrystallized grains in the surface layer, ensures the minimum hydrogen concentra­tion (3.4 ppm) in the steel, and provides its complete insensitivity to HE. The results confirm the promising potential of integrated post-processing for improving the reliability of additively manufactured 316L steel in hydrogen-containing environments.

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