Hydrogen embrittlement: Recent Indian research and perspectives

Abstract

This article provides an overview of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) research and related investigations carried out by Indian researchers over approximately the last two decades. There is a substantial body of work on steels, on certain intermetallics and on hydride forming alloy systems. Work on HE of High strength steels, pipeline grade steels, Zircalloys and iron-aluminides have been more popular amongst Indian researchers, often on account of the specific use of these materials in hydrogen environments in practical situations, than for other alloy systems. Indian researchers have addressed a variety of issues like microstructural and compositional influence on HE, microstructure tailoring, alloy modifications and alloy development strategies to counter HE, analyses of HE failures in industries, and others. Work has been initiated to provide life prediction methodologies for hydrogen degradation, but comprehensive efforts are few. Similarly surface engineering strategies to counter HE have been relatively neglected by Indian researchers.