Hydrogen-induced delayed
fracture is an unpredictable
and extremely hazardous failure mode that often occurs suddenly under applied
stress levels significantly below a material’s yield strength. This issue must
be addressed to ensure the promotion and application of advanced high-strength
steels (AHSSs). The development of third-generation AHSSs has transformed
automotive lightweighting strategies by achieving an exceptional balance
between strength and ductility through precise microstructural engineering. A
key microstructural feature enabling this balance is the coexistence of bcc and
fcc phases within the steel’s microstructure. The interface between bcc and fcc
phases, an important microstructural defect in AHSSs, acts as a trapping site
for hydrogen atoms. However, hydrogen-trapping behaviour at the bcc-Fe/fcc-Fe
interface, along with the influence of alloying element segregation, remains
poorly understood. In this study, the hydrogen-trapping behaviour at
Kurdjumov–Sachs oriented bcc-Fe/fcc-Fe interfaces was systematically
investigated using first-principles density functional theory calculations.
Parameters such as the binding energy, interfacial separation work and hydrogen
Bader volume were analysed to quantify the hydrogen-trapping behaviour. In addition,
the effects of alloying elements on the bcc-Fe/fcc-Fe interfacial stability and
hydrogen-trapping behaviours were evaluated. The results show that hydrogen
atoms preferentially segregate to the fcc-Fe side of the bcc-Fe/fcc-Fe
interface with a binding energy of 34.5 kJ/mol, indicating a strong tendency
for interfacial trapping. Notably, the hydrogen Bader volume was found to be a
reliable indicator of hydrogen-trapping behaviour at the bcc-Fe/fcc-Fe
interface. Further analysis of alloying elements revealed varying effects on
the bcc-Fe/fcc-Fe interface. Nb and Mn had a minimal effect on interfacial
stability. V slightly increased the interfacial
separation work, improving interfacial stability. Tc, Mo, and Cr
significantly increased interfacial stability by increasing the interfacial
separation work. Conversely, Ni decreased the interfacial separation work,
thereby weakening the interfacial stability. This study provides an
atomic-scale understanding of the hydrogen-trapping behaviour at the bcc/fcc interface
and offers theoretical guidance for designing the chemical composition of AHSSs
with enhanced resistance to hydrogen embrittlement.