Hydrogen Embrittlement

This book is the second edition of the one originally published in 2016, as the first comprehensive treatment on the fundamentals of hydrogen embrittlement of metallic materials, mainly steel. The book provides students and researchers engaging in hydrogen problems with a unified view of the subject. Establishing reliable principles for materials design against hydrogen embrittlement and assessing their performance are recent urgent industrial needs in developing high-strength steel for hydrogen energy equipment and weight-reducing vehicles. The interdisciplinary nature of the subject, covering metal physics, materials science, and mechanics of fracture, has disturbed a profound understanding of the problem. In this book, previous studies are critically reviewed, and supplemental descriptions of fundamental ideas are presented when necessary. Emphasis is placed on experimental facts, with particular attention to their implication rather than phenomenological appearance. The adopted experimental conditions are also noted since the operating mechanism of hydrogen might differ by material and environment. For theories, employed assumptions and premises are noted to examine their versatility. Progress in the past decade in experimental and theoretical tools is remarkable and has nearly unveiled characteristic features of hydrogen embrittlement. Proposed models have almost covered feasible aspects of the function of hydrogen. This second edition has enriched the contents with recent crucial findings. Chapters on the manifestation of embrittlement in the deterioration of mechanical properties and microscopic features are reorganized, and the description is revised for the convenience of readers’ systematic understanding. A new chapter is created for delayed fracture in atmospheric environments as a conclusive subject of critical ideas presented in this book.

Many modern energy systems are reliant on the production, transportation, storage, and use of gaseous hydrogen. The safety, durability, performance and economic operation of these systems is challenged by operating-cycle dependent degradation by hydrogen of otherwise high performance materials. This important two-volume work provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the latest research into managing hydrogen embrittlement in energy technologies. Volume 1 is divided into three parts, the first of which provides an overview of the hydrogen embrittlement problem in specific technologies including petrochemical refining, automotive hydrogen tanks, nuclear waste disposal and power systems, and H2 storage and distribution facilities. Part two then examines modern methods of characterization and analysis of hydrogen damage and part three focuses on the hydrogen degradation of various alloy classes With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Volume 1 of Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement of materials in energy technologies is an invaluable reference tool for engineers, designers, materials scientists, and solid mechanicians working with safety-critical components fabricated from high performance materials required to operate in severe environments based on hydrogen. Impacted technologies include aerospace, petrochemical refining, gas transmission, power generation and transportation. Summarises the wealth of recent research on understanding and dealing with the safety, durability, performance and economic operation of using gaseous hydrogen at high pressure Reviews how hydrogen embrittlement affects particular sectors such as the petrochemicals, automotive and nuclear industries Discusses how hydrogen embrittlement can be characterised and its effects on particular alloy classes

The book presents a collection of chapters on the current problems associated with hydrogen damage. It discusses the effect of hydrogen on material properties and its interaction with the material microstructure, physical features of hydrogen transport in metals and alloys, as well as applicable methods of measuring concentration of hydrogen in solid media.