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This document describes the step load test (SLT) for testing and evaluating the susceptibility of sheet steels to hydrogen-induced brittle fracture ("hydrogen embrittlement"). In the SLT, an increasing mechanical load is applied in corrosive surroundings to simulate exemplary conditions during the vehicle manufacturing process (press shop, body shop, and paint shop) and the life cycle of the vehicles (operating loads and corrosion).
The SLT is suitable for identifying the impact of various influences on the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement:• Material (microstructure)• Coating• Corrosive load (test solution, pH-value, volume of test solution, ventilation, …)• Manufacturing (edge condition)• Pre-deformation• Heat treatment• Joined stateIn this document, standard test conditions are defined. They conform to the conditions described in DIN 50969-3, if not noted otherwise.
