Hydrogen Embrittlement
by Peter Witzk Bossard Group
Hydrogen embrittlement is a serious matter, which mechanically degrades a range of different structural materials. Despite that it was reported for first time more than hundred years ago (1875) and that the phenomenon has undergone intensive studies for decades many uncertainties still exist.
Hydrogen embrittlement can be divided into two types. One is the environmental type where hydrogen embrittlement failure is due to the supply of hydrogen from the environment, normally through corrosion. The second is hydrogen embrittlement failure due to the supply of hydrogen from processes during manufacture. This type is designated internal hydrogen embrittlement.