Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is characterized by a loss of ductility and reduction of load-bearing capability of a relatively ductile metal due to the absorption of hydrogen atoms into a metal with hydrogen trapping sites within the microstructure. It will diffuse along the grain boundaries, weaken the material structure, and promote intergranular cracking.

Types of Hydrogen Embrittlement

• Internal HE: Occur when the hydrogen enters metal during forming, coating, plating, cleaning, and finishing operations.
• Environmental HE: Caused by hydrogen being absorbed from environment.

Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) testing is used to evaluate the cracking of material in the wet H₂S/sour environment which promotes formation of atomic hydrogen.

STE-Mart carries out professional hydrogen embrittlement testing to determine the performance of materials in a corrosive environment under the influence of the tensile stress by evaluating the material's ductility as a result of hydrogen absorption.

Test Capabilities

• Hydrogen embrittlement corrosion analysis
• Hydrogen embrittlement fracture analysis
• Hydrogen embrittlement inspection
• Hydrogen embrittlement metallographic inspection
• Hydrogen embrittlement morphology analysis
• Hydrogen embrittlement crack analysis
• Galvanically induced hydrogen stress cracking (GHSC): Evaluate the hydrogen embrittlement sustainability of the corrosion resistant metal materials, when galvanically coupled, as the cathode, to another metal.
• Hydrogen induced stress cracking (HISC): Investigate how hydrogen influences materials' behavior under mechanical stress.

STEMart's expert team can help you select the most appropriate method to evaluate the susceptibility of the material to hydrogen embrittlement. For more information about our hydrogen embrittlement testing services, please contact us.