1. The cathodic charging of stable austenitic steels is accompanied by plastic deformation, not just by stresses, which results in the crystallographic texture.
2. The occurrence of hydrogen-induced γ-ε transformation depends on the stacking fault energy and it is caused by plastic deformation like it is the case in the deformed non-charged austenitic steels. The development of crystallographic texture is retarded by the γ-ε transformation.
3. The ε-martensite is preferentially formed within the areas enriched in hydrogen, which affects the content of hydrogen and its distribution in the retained austenite.
4. Hydrogen embrittlement of the electrolytically chargedaustenitic steels depends on the degree of deformation during charging and is maximal in the absence of γ-ε transformation.
5. The γ-ε transformation can occur during mechanical tests of hydrogen-charged austenitic steels, which improves their plasticity due to trip effect.