FIELD OF INVENTION:-
The invention relates to an equipment for heating the test specimen of copper in
hydrogen rich atmosphere. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
equipment for hydrogen embrittlement testing of deoxidized copper for
ascertain the presence of cuprous oxide. The hydrogen embrittlement test is
carried out as per ASTM B577.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:-
The oxygen free copper and deoxidized copper are needed for manufacturing
generator components. Copper alloys which contain oxygen can be embrittled
during welding/hot forming due to reaction of hot hydrogen with the oxygen.
The hydrogen diffuses through the copper and starts reacting with inclusions of
Cu2O, forming H2O (water), which then forms pressurized bubbles at the grain
boundaries. This process causes the grains to literally be forced away from each
other i.e. developing cracks, and is known as hydrogen embrittlement.
Thus, hydrogen embrittlement test is required to be carried out to determine
freedom from oxygen in copper products made from oxygen free and deoxidized
copper. The copper products, which need to be welded/hot formed, should be
free from oxygen. Testing procedure for hydrogen embrittlement test carried out
as per mention in ASTM B577 but there is no such readymade equipment
available in the market to facilitate the testing.
To overcome existing problem the inventors emphasize to develop a testing
equipment for hydrogen embrittlement test to be carried out inside the company
premises.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:-
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to propose an equipment for
hydrogen embrittlement testing of deoxidized copper which eliminates the
exsisting problem of manufacturing.
Another object of the present invention is to propose an equipment for hydrogen
embrittlement testing of deoxidized copper which increases productivity.
A further object of the present invention is to propose an equipment for
hydrogen embrittlement testing of deoxidized copper which reduces the services
failure.
A still further object of the present invention is to propose an equipment for
hydrogen embrittlement test of deoxidized copper which improves the standard
of quality control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:-
Accordingly the present invention is provide with an equipment for hydrogen
embrittlement of deoxidized/oxygen free copper comprises a rectangular shaped
box (3) provided with a porcelain tube disposed inside in a longitudinal axis
direction having a protruded part on both sides of the box; the protruded parts
on both sides of the equipment are sealed at the junction point of the box with a
sealing material; the protruded tube ends are kept close with a cork at both ends
to prevent air entry; an electrical coil wound around the porcelain tube for
heating; a temperature indicator to monitor the temperature of the equipment
and one ON/OFF control switch to energized the heating coil are also provided
with the equipment;
characterized in that a plurality of copper test specimens are heated inside the
porcelain tube wherein a chemical reaction takes place in presence of a

hydrogen atmosphere, supplied from outside kipp's apparatus, quenching the
said copper in water after a specific time of heating for bend test and
microscopic examination
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:-
Figure 1- shows a schematic diagramme of the Equipment for embrittlement
testing of deoxidized copper.
Figure 2- shows a schematic diagramme of the Equipment to prevent air from
entering from the outlet of the testing equipment.
Figure 3- shows a schematic diagramme of kipp's apparatus for hydrogen gas
production to be supplied in the testing equipment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION:-
As shown in figure 1, the equipment comprises of a rectangular shaped box (3)
made of steel material. A long hollow porcelain tube (4) is provide inside the box
in longitudinal axis direction, a small protruded part (5, 6) of porcelain tube
extended outside in both sides of the equipment (3). The protruded parts of
porcelain tube are sealed at junction with box on both sides by a sealing
material (7) to prevent the loss of heat. Both ends of the hollow porcelain tube
(4) are fitted with a cork (1, 2) to make leak proof at inlet point and outlet point
and prevent entry of air. The hollow porcelain tube (4) wound around it a
heating coil (8), which caters heat to the equipment while energized. The
equipment (3) is provided with a temperature indicators (9) to show visually the
actual temperature raised inside the equipment. A control switch (10) (ON and
OFF) provided in the equipment to switch on or switch off the heating coil of

equipment. The inside of box (3) is covered with refractory lining to preserve
heat inside the box equipment.
The working temperature inside the equipment in the range of 800°C-900°C
generated by the electrical coils. The equipment is being connected to a kipp's
apparatus for supply hydrogen gas during testing of copper sample (Fig-3). The
generation of Hydrogen gas in kipp's apparatuses is achieved by a chemical
reaction of Zn granules (12) and HCl (conc) (13). The generated gas is allowed to
pass through a latex tube (16) via a ON/OFF tap (15) the open end of latex tube
(16) is connected to second end (2) of the porcelain tube to cater hydrogen in
the equipment dung testing.
The first end (1) of porcelain tube is connected through a latex tube (17) to pass
the hydrogen in a container (18) filled with water (Figure-2).
PROCESS OF TESTING:-
• inserting a plurality of small copper test pieces inside the porcelain
tube;
• heating the porcelain tube in the range of 800°C-900°C for a period
of 20-40 minutes;
• generating hydrogen gas in a standby kipp's apparatus;
• passing hydrogen gas through end (2) on red-hot cooper test (18)
pieces in the porcelain tube and exit through end (1) and enter in
water filled container;
• making an atmosphere of at least 10% hydrogen inside porcelain
tube;

• determining the presence of hydrogen in the equipment;
• quenching rapidly the test specimen in water;
• carrying out microscopic examination and bent testing to copper
test piece.

WE CLAIM:-
1. An equipment for hydrogen embrittlement of deoxidized/oxygen free
copper comprises:-
• a rectangular shaped box (3) provided with a porcelain tube disposed
inside in a longitudinal axis direction having a protruded part on both
sides of the box;
• the protruded parts on both sides of the equipment are sealed at the
junction point of the box with a sealing material;
• the protruded tube ends are kept close with a cork at both ends to
prevent of air entry;
• an electrical coil wound around the porcelain tube for heating;
• a temperature indicator to monitor the temperature of the equipment
and one ON/OFF control switch to energized the heating coil are also
provided with the equipment;
characterized in that a plurality of copper test specimens are heated
inside the porcelain tube wherein a chemical reaction takes place in
presence of a hydrogen atmosphere, supplied from outside kipp's
apparatus, quenching the said copper in water after a specific time of
heating for bend test and microscopic examination.
2. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the box is made of steel
materials.
3. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein a refractory lining material
is covered inside the box.

4. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein hydrogen gas supplied is
generated from an outside kipp's apparatus source and the exit of
hydrogen gas is quenched is a water filled container.
5. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the equipment is heated in
the temperature range 800°C to 900°C.
6. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the copper test piece is
heated for 20-40 minutes.
7. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein hydrogen gas is flown in
excess of 10% to maintain hydrogen atmosphere in the porcelain tube.
8. The process of testing hydrogen embrittlement in the equipment as
claimed in claim 1 comprises the following steps:-
a. inserting a plurality of small copper test pieces inside the porcelain
tube;
b. heating the porcelain tube in the range of 800°C-900°C for a period
of 20-40 minutes;
c. generating hydrogen gas in a standby kipp's apparatus;
d. passing hydrogen gas through end (2) on red-hot cooper test (18)
pieces in the porcelain tube and exit through end (1) and enter in
water filed container;
e. making an atmosphere of at least 10% hydrogen;
f. determining the present of hydrogen in the equipment;

g. quenching rapidly the test specimen;
h. carrying out microscopic examination and bent testing to copper
test piece.
9. The equipment for hydrogen embrittlement of deoxidized/oxygen free
copper testing as subsisting describes and illustrates herein alongwith the
accompanying drawings.

ABSTRACT

The present invention is provided with an equipment for hydrogen embrittlement
of deoxidized/oxygen free copper comprises a rectangular shaped box (3)
provided with a porcelain tube disposed inside in a longitudinal axis direction
having a protruded part on both sides of the box; the protruded parts on both
sides of the equipment are sealed at the junction point of the box with a sealing
material; the protruded tube ends are kept close with a cork at both ends to
prevent of air entry; an electrical coil wound around the porcelain tube for
heating; a temperature indicator to monitor the temperature of the equipment
and one ON/OFF control switch to energized the heating coil are also provided
with the equipment;
characterized in that a plurality of copper test specimens are heated inside the
porcelain tube wherein a chemical reaction takes place in presence of a
hydrogen atmosphere, supplied from outside kipp's apparatus, quenching the
said copper in water after a specific time of heating for bend test and
microscopic examination.