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Metals
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Hydrogen Embrittlement of Metals: Behaviors and Mechanisms
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Hydrogen Embrittlement of Metals: Behaviors and Mechanisms

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Metal Failure Analysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025 | Viewed by 3072

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kai Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
Interests: hydrogen embrittlement; hydrogen safety; material failure analysis; microstructure characterization; hydrogen transport; pressure vessel and piping; mechanical properties of metals
Prof. Dr. Guiying Qiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
Interests: mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement; metal manufacturing; material processing; computational material science; microstructure characterization and modeling; weld metal

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogen is a clean alternative to traditional energy sources and a key feature of the energy transition strategies of many countries. However, the development and utilization of hydrogen energy comprise dynamic processes, including the preparation, storage, transportation, and safe application of hydrogen. A large number of metal materials are used in every segment of the hydrogen energy industry. Changes in failure behavior in metal materials in a hydrogen-containing environment are very important. Moreover, internal hydrogen is present in metal materials during casting and processing, which will have a key impact on the mechanical properties of these materials. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly research hydrogen behaviors and damage mechanisms in metal materials.

For this Special Issue, we welcome articles that focus on research into the behaviors and mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement in metals. Potential subjects covered in this Special Issue include hydrogen diffusion and permeation, hydrogen transport and storage, microstructure evolution in a hydrogen-containing environment, the mechanisms behind hydrogen-induced material failure, and hydrogen-embrittlement-resistant materials and technology.

Dr. Kai Xu
Prof. Dr. Guiying Qiao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogen embrittlement
  • hydrogen embrittlement resistance
  • material failure analysis
  • hydrogen diffusion and permeation
  • hydrogen transport
  • hydrogen storage
  • material processing
  • microstructure characterization

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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19 pages, 23343 KiB  
Article
Study on Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior in Heat-Affected Zone of X80 Welded Pipe
by Lei Tang, Wang Liu, Bo-Chen Gao, Ji-Tong Sha, Ri-Xin Bai, Bai-Hui Che, Kai Xu, Gui-Ying Qiao and Fu-Ren Xiao
Metals 2025, 15(4), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15040414 - 6 Apr 2025
Viewed by 273
Abstract
Hydrogen, as a clean energy source, has gradually become an important choice for the energy transformation in the world. Utilizing existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen-blended transportation is one of the most economical and effective ways to achieve large-scale hydrogen transportation. However, hydrogen [...] Read more.
Hydrogen, as a clean energy source, has gradually become an important choice for the energy transformation in the world. Utilizing existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen-blended transportation is one of the most economical and effective ways to achieve large-scale hydrogen transportation. However, hydrogen can easily penetrate into the pipe material during the hydrogen-blended transportation process, causing damage to the properties of the pipe. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the weld, being the weakest part of the pipeline, is highly sensitive to hydrogen embrittlement. The microstructure and properties of the grains in the heat-affected zone undergoes changes during the welding process. Therefore, this paper divides the HAZ of X80 welded pipes into three sub-HAZ, namely the coarse-grained HAZ, fine-grained HAZ, and intercritical HAZ, to study the hydrogen behavior. The results show that the degree of hydrogen damage in each sub-HAZ varies significantly at different strain rates. The coarse-grained HAZ has the highest hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity at low strain rates, while the intercritical HAZ experiences the greatest hydrogen damage at high strain rates. By combining the microstructural differences within each sub-HAZ, the plastic damage mechanism of hydrogen in each sub-HAZ is analyzed, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for the feasibility of using X80 welded pipes in hydrogen-blended transportation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen Embrittlement of Metals: Behaviors and Mechanisms)
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23 pages, 7523 KiB  
Article
Fracture Toughness Assessment of Pipeline Steels Under Hydrogen Exposure for Blended Gas Applications
by Hesamedin Ghadiani, Zoheir Farhat, Tahrim Alam and Md. Aminul Islam
Metals 2025, 15(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15010029 - 1 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1334
Abstract
Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a critical concern for pipeline steels, particularly as the energy sector explores the feasibility of blending hydrogen with natural gas to reduce carbon emissions. Various mechanical testing methods assess HE, with fracture toughness testing offering a quantitative measure of [...] Read more.
Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is a critical concern for pipeline steels, particularly as the energy sector explores the feasibility of blending hydrogen with natural gas to reduce carbon emissions. Various mechanical testing methods assess HE, with fracture toughness testing offering a quantitative measure of defect impacts on structural safety, particularly for cracks arising during manufacturing, fabrication, or in-service conditions. This study focuses on assessing the fracture toughness of two pipeline steels from an existing natural gas network under varying hydrogen concentrations using double cantilever beam (DCB) fracture tests. A vintage API X52 steel with a ferritic–pearlitic microstructure and a modern API X65 steel with polygonal ferrite and elongated pearlite colonies were selected to represent old and new pipeline materials. Electrochemical hydrogen charging was employed to simulate hydrogen exposure, with the charging parameters derived from hydrogen permeation tests. The results highlight the differing impacts of hydrogen on the fracture toughness and crack growth in vintage and modern pipeline steels. These findings are essential for ensuring the safety and integrity of pipelines carrying hydrogen–natural gas blends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen Embrittlement of Metals: Behaviors and Mechanisms)
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20 pages, 4561 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hydrogen Content on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Fracture Mechanism of Low-Carbon Lath Martensite Steel
by Boris Yanachkov, Yana Mourdjeva, Kateryna Valuiska, Vanya Dyakova, Krasimir Kolev, Julieta Kaleicheva, Rumyana Lazarova and Ivaylo Katzarov
Metals 2024, 14(12), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14121340 - 26 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 933
Abstract
The effect of hydrogen content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture mechanisms of low-carbon lath martensitic steel was investigated using both experimental methods and atomistic modeling. Tensile testing revealed a transition in the fracture behavior with increases in hydrogen concentration. Specifically, at [...] Read more.
The effect of hydrogen content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture mechanisms of low-carbon lath martensitic steel was investigated using both experimental methods and atomistic modeling. Tensile testing revealed a transition in the fracture behavior with increases in hydrogen concentration. Specifically, at a hydrogen content of 0.44 wppm, a shift from transgranular to intergranular fractures was observed. The most probable cause of hydrogen embrittlement was identified to be HELP-mediated HEDE. As the hydrogen concentration increased, the dislocation density in close-packed planes, such as (111) and (100), was found to rise. The key differences between the hydrogen-free and hydrogen-charged specimens were the localization and density of dislocations, as well as the change in the distribution of slip bands. Atomistic modeling supported these experimental findings, showing that “quasi-cleavage” cracks predominantly initiate at block boundaries with higher local hydrogen accumulation. These results underscore the significant role of hydrogen in modifying both the microstructural characteristics and fracture behavior of low-carbon martensitic steel, with important implications for its performance in hydrogen-rich environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydrogen Embrittlement of Metals: Behaviors and Mechanisms)
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