Hydrogen Embrittlement of Steels: Vacancy Induced Damage and Nano-Voiding Mechanisms

Hydrogen embrittlement of steels continues to pose significant challenges to the integrity of operating equipment in the oil and gas industry. While significant research has been done to elicit the mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement, there are still gaps in understanding the micromechanisms of failure. This paper highlights the recently proposed nano-void coalescence mechanism of hydrogen induced failure that was based on experimental work and associated computational modeling work that highlights the key role played by hydrogen-vacancy complexes as atomic level damage nucleation units. Finally, the paper discusses areas of future research to further enhance the understanding of hydrogen embrittlement.