Duplex stainless steel (DSS) may become susceptible to environmental assisted cracking
(EAC) in sulfide-containing caustic solutions. The effects of hydrogen on as-received and
annealed specimens of grade 2205 DSS exposed to a white liquor, comprised of 150 g/l NaOH
and 50 g/l Na2S as well as sulfide-free caustic solution of 150 g/l NaOH have been evaluated
by microhardness and nanoidentation after potentiostatic polarization in the solutions at room
temperature for different times. A hydrogen microprint technique (HMT) was also used to
evaluate the hydrogen accumulation sites on the surface. The microhardness and
nanoidentation data suggests that sulfur species promote hydrogen absorption in caustic
solutions. The ferrite phase underwent a greater increase in hardness as compared to the
austenite phase. Hydrogen absorption in 2205 DSS was possible at the cathodic potential of -
1.2 V versus standard calomel electrode (SCE) in white liquor; however, the effects of
hydrogen on the material behavior appear to be minimal based on the hardness data.
Keywords: 2205 duplex stainless steel, hydrogen embrittlement, white liquor, sulfide-containing,
hydrogen microprint technique