Interaction of hydrogen with metal at electrolytic treatment

Experimental data on the destruction of metal and the composition of gas escaping in the course of long electrolytic hydrogenation of samples (cast iron, zinc, transformer iron) in the U-shaped test tube are obtained. Electrolyte is the distilled water acidified by sulfuric acid, voltage - 24V. Samples in volume of 400 ml were placed in glass container (bottle), the hydraulic lock was saturated solution of NaCl or distilled water. The analysis of gases was made on “KristaLyuks” type chromatograph. In the process of hydrogenation at lower ends of steel, cast iron, copper and zinc samples-cathodes branches-dendrites grow, and owing to intensive corrosive destruction (wear process) of the lower part of the cylindrical test specimen it takes the conical form, while lamellar sample - knife-like form. At interaction of hydrogen with carbon of samples methane and other hydrocarbons (ethane - hexane) are formed, which quantity and relationship depends on the quantity of carbon in samples and the composition of hydraulic lock. The composition of escaping gas testifies in favor of the “methane” theory of corrosive destruction of metals. Hydrogen actively interacts with the alloying element of transformer iron - silicon which content in hydrogenated samples decreases 1,9 times; significant amount of silicon is separated in thin coat, sediment and electrolyte therefore plasticity of iron is raised. Formation of silanes is possible. Carrying out of additional experiments with various carbonaceous steels is necessary.