Decohesive Concept of the Interaction of Hydrogen with Metals

Abstract

We consider some concepts of the interaction of hydrogen with metals (iron and its alloys) under loads in hydrogen-containing media and, in particular, their hydrogen embrittlement. This problem is analyzed in numerous works, where different concepts and models are proposed for the substantiation of the mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement of metals. However, these concepts do not enable us to understand the dual character of the action of hydrogen on the deformation of metals, i.e., the facilitation of their plastic deformation and embrittlement. We describe the decohesive concept of hydrogen–metal interaction based on which it is possible to explain the processes of plasticization of metals in the initial stage of deformation and their embrittlement in the course of subsequent deformation. We also present a survey of investigations in this direction carried out by researchers of the Karpenko Physicomechanical Institute of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences.