Miniature Tensile and Small Punch Testing: Mechanical Performance and Application in Hydrogen Embrittlement Analysis

The utilization of micro-sample testing has demonstrated its effectiveness in conducting quantitative research on mechanical properties, damage evolutions and fracture features. For in-service equipment, millimicron sampling allows for non-destructive testing and analysis of mechanical performance evolution during operation. This paper presents a comparative study of the miniature uniaxial tensile test (MUTT) and small punch test (SPT) by experimental and finite element methods. As a comparison, the standard conventional-size tensile tests were also carried out. Detailed analyses of the elastoplastic behaviors and damage evolutions of MUTT and SPT were presented, followed by an application case illustrating the characterization of hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity based on MUTT and SPT. An inverse finite element modeling method of load–displacement curve reproduction was used to calibrate the variations of damage parameters of hydrogen-charged MUTT and SPT specimens. Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) indexes were determined by using different calculation methods. The results reveal that the HE sensitivity estimated by MUTT is higher than that measured by SPT, which is related to the different deformation processes and strain rates of the two testing methods.