X-ray diffraction by cathodically charged austenitic stainless steel

The diffraction pattern of cathodically charged austenite consists of broad diffraction bands, often composed of more than one maximum and located close to the position of the regular diffraction peak of the f.c.c. austenitic lattice. The source of these bands was attributed to a nonuniform spatial distribution of hydrogen within the thin surface layer of the material. Calculated diffraction profiles are in good qualitative agreement with the observed profiles. Measurements of the shift of the centroid of the diffraction band were used to estimate the effective diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in austenite.