On the effect of hydrogen on the fracture toughness of steel

A model is developed to quantify the effect of hydrogen on the critical stress intensity factor or fracture toughness of steels. The stress-assisted hydrogen diffusion model proposed by Liu (1970) is assumed and combined with the elastic stress field around the crack tip for quantifying the hydrogen concentration at the crack tip. Introducing a fracture criterion as the critical hydrogen concentration at a critical distance ahead of the crack tip, this model is successfully applied to the interpretation of hydrogen embrittlement behavior in a piping material. Experimental data at constant temperature were used to validate the model. With further development, the model has the potential to predict fracture toughness values at temperatures other than the test temperature.