page_title: Hydrogen embrittlement
hierarchical_section_title: Hydrogen embrittlement
caption_attribution_description: English: Hydrogen Embrittlement, also known as Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC)
context_page_description: Hydrogen embrittlement also known as hydrogen assisted cracking and hydrogen-induced cracking, describes the embrittling of metal after being exposed to hydrogen. It is a complex process that is not completely understood because of the variety and complexity of mechanisms that can lead to embrittlement. Mechanisms that have been proposed to explain embrittlement include the formation of brittle hydrides, the creation of voids that can lead to bubbles and pressure build-up within a material and enhanced decohesion or localised plasticity that assist in the propagation of cracks.
  For hydrogen embrittlement to occur, a combination of three conditions are required:
  the presence and diffusion of hydrogen
  a susceptible material
  stress
  Hydrogen is often introduced during manufacture from operations such as forming, coating, plating or cleaning. Hydrogen may also be introduced over time through environmental exposure, corrosion processes including corrosion of a coating and cathodic protection.
  The hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon was first described in 1875.
context_section_description: Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) also known as hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC), describes the embrittling of metal after being exposed to hydrogen. It is a complex process that is not completely understood because of the variety and complexity of mechanisms that can lead to embrittlement. Mechanisms that have been proposed to explain embrittlement include the formation of brittle hydrides, the creation of voids that can lead to bubbles and pressure build-up  within a material and enhanced decohesion or localised plasticity that assist in the propagation of cracks.
  For hydrogen embrittlement to occur, a combination of three conditions are required: 
  the presence and diffusion of hydrogen
  a susceptible material
  stress
  Hydrogen is often introduced during manufacture from operations such as forming, coating, plating or cleaning. Hydrogen may also be introduced over time (external embrittlement) through environmental exposure (soils and chemicals, including water), corrosion processes (especially galvanic corrosion) including corrosion of a coating and cathodic protection.
  The hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon was first described in 1875.
caption: Hydrogen-Induced Cracks (HIC)
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