The effect of hydrogen embrittlement on durability of buried steel pipes

Abstract

In civil engineering projects, mild steel is commonly used in many infrastructure including buried pipes due to its unique mechanical behaviour. The life cycle of a steel structure can adversely be affected by corrosion attack and hydrogen-induced embrittlement when exposed to various environmental conditions. Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a form of deterioration which can be associated to corrosion and corrosion control processes. Several researchers have reported the damaging effect of hydrogen on the ductility of steel structures. However, there is a difference of opinion among researchers about its effect on the yield and failure strength which are the key parameters for the life cycle ..