A Review of the Mechanism of Hydrogen Embrittlement

Hydrogen embrittlement is one of a select group of failure mechanisms that falls under the overarching category of Environmentally Assisted Cracking. The others are stress corrosion cracking, liquid and solid metal induced embrittlement and corrosion fatigue. This presentation shall be a review of the various types hydrogen embrittlement including hydrogen flakes, hydrogen enhanced decohesion embrittlement, hydrogen enhanced localized plasticity, metal hydride formation, sulfide stress cracking, cathodic protection driven hydrogen embrittlement, and high temperature hydrogen attack. If time permits, I will discuss the issues of post plating hydrogen embrittlement relief bake process.