Résumé:
The hydrogen embrittlement (HPF) of metallic materials is a problem particularly relevant
technological and scientific although its detection is relatively old.
Because of this crucial problem, the petrochemical and energy industries are constantly faced with
problems of degradation of its equipment, which also entails an additional operating costs as a result
of the judgment, maintenance or replacement of faulty installations. By way of example to the
operating temperature of a nuclear reactor (300 ° C) of the fuel ducts which are in permanent
contact with the coolant (water), and oxidation reaction releases hydrogen which is absorbed by the
material of the cladding which causes a decrease in ductility and hence leads to rupture.
To avoid this problem, knowledge of the causes and mechanisms leading to this type of degradation
is needed.
Deformation hardening is one of the main things to check to avoid adsorption and diffusion of
hydrogen through the material. Choose a surface state of a material is a very effective way to
counter the phenomenon FPH.
