Corrosion Technology Testbed YA-F Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 Hydrogen Damage Hydrogen can cause a number of corrosion problems. Hydrogen embrittlement is a problem with high-strength steels, titanium, and some other metals.
Control is by eliminating hydrogen from the environment or by the use of resistant alloys.
Hydrogen blistering can occur when hydrogen enters steel as a result of the reduction reaction on a metal cathode. Single-atom nacent hydrogen atoms then diffuse through the metal until they meet with another atom, usually at inclusions or defects in the metal. The resultant diatomic hydrogen molecules are then too big to migrate and become trapped. Eventually a gas blister builds up and may split the metal as shown in the picture below. Hydrogen blistering is controlled by minimizing corrosion in acidic environments.