4. Forms of Corrosion

4.7 Hydrogen Blistering [3/3]


Mechanism of Hydrogen Blistering

Atomic hydrogen is the only species capable of penetrating steel, the molecular form of hydrogen is not capable of diffusion. Hydrogen blistering and hydrogen embrittlement are only produced by atomic hydrogen.

Diffusion of atomic hydrogen

The hydrogen ion H+ accepts electrons from the cathode and becomes hydrogen atom

2H+ + 2e H2  

Sometimes hydrogen atoms do not combine together to form hydrogen gas, instead, they diffuse straight away in a a metal surface. Certain impurities (poisons) like sulfides, cyanides and arsenic compounds prevent the formation of molecular hydrogen and help hydrogen to diffuse into steel. It is the diffusion of hydrogen atoms that can can induce hydrogen damage such as blistering and hydrogen induced cracking of steel.

 

Figure below shows a case of high temperature hydrogen attack on a cooling tower heat exchanger tube.

The photographs below shows a specimen from a downhole tubing showing blistering of epoxy coating.

In summary, hydrogen attack occurs in these steps

Prevention