Absorption of Hydrogen by Aluminium Attacked in Caustic Soda Solution

Abstract

IN some experiments reported recently by Moreau and Chaudron¹, it was found that prolonged immersion of high-purity aluminium in dilute (N/100) caustic soda solution resulted in the absorption of large quantities of hydrogen by the metal, and that the presence of this gas had a measurable effect upon the elastic modulus. After 20– 30 days immersion, the hydrogen content, measured by an ion-bombardment extraction method, was found to be as high as 1,000 c.c. per 100 gm. of metal. This measurement was carried out on specimens turned down from the original corroded blocks, and the results would, therefore, indicate that the absorbed hydrogen had penetrated to a considerable depth in the metal.