The hydrogen permeation behaviour of X56 steel under loading in a simulated atmospheric environment was investigated. The results show that the hydrogen permeation current increases as the elastic deformation of the steel increases. In addition, the hydrogen permeation current decreases with an increase in plastic deformation. Cracking of the passive film and the reduced specimen thickness after deformation are proposed as reasons for the decrease in permeation. Thus, during plastic deformation, there is a competition between dislocation trapping and dislocation transport of hydrogen, which affects the overall hydrogen permeation current.
