Hydrogen Embrittlement and Hydrogen Absorption

The focus in this chapter is on the delayed failure, hydrogen embrittlement of steels, and detection of hydrogen in the metal. Several techniques for the detection of hydrogen in the metal are also explained. The diffusible hydrogen in the metal plays an important role in the delayed failure or hydrogen embrittlement, and the electrochemical detection of permeated hydrogen by the Devanathan–Stachurski double cell is explained in detail. From the analysis of the current transient, one can evaluate the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in the metal. From the application of micro-electrochemical cell, the permeated hydrogen can be detected local site by site. On zinc-coated steel scratched, the permeated hydrogen was found to be enhanced around the scratched area.