Analysis of hydrogen embrittlement and applied potential of 1670, 1770, and 1860 MPa ultrahigh-strength steel wire for impressed current cathodic protection on cables and hangers

The hydrogen embrittlement and applied cathodic potential of three ultrahigh-strength steel wires were analyzed. Results show that in the simulated rainfall environment, the suitable protection potential range for 1670 and 1770 MPa wires is from the corrosion potential to-1150 mVSCE, and to-1050 mVSCE for 1860 MPa wire; the protection efficiency can reach 22% compared with unprotected steel wire at the recommended potential. The hydrogen diffusivity decreases with the strength, and are 0.636 x 10-6, 0.577 x 10-6 and 0.409 x 10-6 cm2$s-1 for the three steel wires. The 1860 MPa wire has the highest HE susceptibility compared to the 1670 and 1770 MPa wires.(c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.