White Paper
Hydrogen Embrittlement of Fasteners
Learn about hydrogen embrittlement in fasteners, its causes, detection challenges, and prevention to avoid costly recalls.
Hydrogen embrittlement, also known as hydrogen cracking, causes fasteners to fail, often hours, days, or even weeks after assembly. Detecting this issue during in-process control or outgoing quality checks is nearly impossible. As a result, products are often shipped and assembled before the problem is discovered. This can lead to costly recalls and severe damage to brand reputation. Hydrogen embrittlement, a silent killer, can strike at any time.
Key Insights
This white paper explores hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen cracking in fastening applications:
- Basics of hydrogen embrittlement
- Entry of hydrogen into the fastener
- Diffusion of hydrogen to high-tensile-stress regions
- Hydrogen segregation to grain boundaries, inclusions, dislocations, and other traps
- Reaching a critical hydrogen concentration
- Prevention and hydrogen relief
- Procedures for inspecting fasteners for hydrogen embrittlement
