The paper analyzes the surface structure and phase state of Ti49.4Ni50.6 (at%) hydrogenated at 295 K in normal saline (0.9% NaCl aqueous solution with pH = 5.7) at 20 A/m2 for 0.5-6 h. The analysis shows that the average hydrogen concentration in the alloy increases with the hydrogenation time tH as follows: slowly to 50 ppm at tH = 0.5-1.5 h, steeply to 150 ppm at tH = 1.2-2 h, and linearly to 300 ppm at tH = 2-6 h. According to Bragg-Brentano X-ray diffraction data (θ-2 θ, 2 θ ≤ 50°, CoKα radiation), the alloy in its scanned surface layer of thickness ~5.6 µm reveals a TiNiHx phase with x = 0.64 and x = 0.54 after hydrogenation for 4 and 6 h, respectively. The structure of this phase is identifiable as an orthorhombic hydride similar to β1-TiFeH0.94 (space group Pmcm), rather than as a tetragonal TiNiHx hydride with x = 0.30-1.0 (space group I4/mmm). Time curves are presented to trace the lattice parameters and volume change during the formation of such an orthorhombic phase from the initial cubic B2 phase in Ti49.4Ni50.6 (at%).
Keywords: Ti49.4Ni50.6 (at%) alloy; electrolytic hydrogenation; hydride structure; hydrogen.