Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
The effect of additions of chromium, manganese and iron on environmental embrittlement of the Ni3(Si,Ti) alloy is investigated by room temperature tensile tests in various kind of atmospheres (vacuum, air, distilled water and H2 gas) and at various strain rates. The observed tensile elongation and the associated fracture mode are very much dependent on atmospheres and strain rates. It is shown that additions of these transition elements to the Ni3(Si,Ti) alloy are effective in reducing the embrittlement particularly in air and distilled water, and their magnitude of reducing the embrittlement decreased in the order, chromium, manganese and iron. However, additions of these transition elements are only slightly effective in reducing the embrittlement in H2 gas. The beneficial effect of additions of these transition elements on environmental embrittlement of the Ni3(Si,Ti) alloy is discussed, based on some possible mechanisms.