JORDAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CORROSION ENGINEERING

HYDROGEN DAMAGE

PRESENTED BY:
EMAN AWWAD

Hydrogen Damage: Mechanical damage of a metal

caused by the presence of, or interaction with
hydrogen.
Environmental factors:
-Hydrogen damage is produced only by the atomic form
of hydrogen.
- sources of atomic hydrogen:
1.High-temperature moist atmospheres.
2.Corrosion processes.
3.Electrolysis.
some substances such as sulfide ions, functions by
decreasing the rate at which hydrogen combines to
form molecules. This leads to greater concentrations of
hydrogen atoms on the metal surface.
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Types of hydrogen damage:

1. decarburization: ( the removal of carbon) it is
often produced by moist hydrogen at high
temperatures, and it lowers the tensile strength
of steel.
2. Hydrogen attack: the interaction between
hydrogen and a component of an alloy at high
temperature.
3. Hydrogen blistering.
4. Hydrogen embrittlement.

Hydrogen Blistering(mechanism)

The interior surface is in contact with the electrolyte, and

the exterior is exposed to the atmosphere.

Hydrogen evolution occurs on the inner surface as a result

of corrosion reaction.

Some of the hydrogen atoms diffuses into the metal rather

than combining into molecules.

Hydrogen molecules are formed on the exterior surface. If

there is a void, hydrogen atoms are combined in the void to
form molecules, which can not diffuse.

The concentration and pressure of hydrogen gas increases,

which causes the damage in the metal.

 Prevention:

1.Using clean steel.

2.Using coatings.
3.Using inhibitors.
4. Removing poisons.
5.Substituting alloys.

Hydrogen embrittlement
The

same initial cause: penetration of hydrogen atoms

into the metal structure.

Alloys are most susceptible to cracking in their

highest strength level.
The tendency for embrittlement is increased with
increasing hydrogen concentration in the metal.
Other terms are used to describe hydrogen
embrittlement:

1.

Hydrogen stress cracking: if the absorption is due

to contact with hydrogen gas.

2.

SCC: if the absorption is due to the corrosion

reaction.

3.

Sulfide stress cracking: if corrosion is due to the

presence of hydrogen sulfide.

 Prevention:

1.

Reducing corrosion rate.

2.

Altering plating conditions.

3.

Baking.

4.

Substituting alloys.

5.

Practicing proper welding.