Integripedia Topic
Embrittlement
Embrittlement is the process of a material becoming brittle due to a loss of ductility. Hydrogen embrittlement, temper embrittlement, liquid metal embrittlement, and sulfide stress cracking (SSC) are all examples of embrittlement. Embrittlement can be a very dangerous mechanism, leaving it unchecked can lead to cracking or even catastrophic brittle failure.
While each of the above mentioned mechanisms are similar in that the symptom of the mechanism is loss of ductility (embrittlement), each can have very different causes.
Hydrogen embrittlement occurs when atomic hydrogen diffuses into certain metals and those metals are put under applied tensile stresses, it can affect metals under both high and low temperature conditions. This type of embrittlement can affect materials during any number of operations such as welding, applying cathodic protection, pickling, phosphating, electroplating, forming, or finishing operations.
Temper embrittlement is caused by the presence of impurities of certain elements in the steel, such as antimony, phosphorous, tin, or arsenic when heating the metal from either 250 to 400 °C or from 450 to 650 °C. Unlike many other types of embrittlement, temper embrittlement can sometimes be reversible.
Liquid metal embrittlement is a type of embrittlement that can occur when molten metals come in contact with certain materials. This type of embrittlement is particularly dangerous because cracking rates from this mechanism can be exceedingly rapid and failure can occur within seconds.
Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC) can occur at locations where atomic hydrogen is able to diffuse at sites of high internal stress, such as grain boundaries, inclusions and regions of triaxial stress at notches. When placed in proximity to tensile stresses this can lead to embrittlement.
Because of all this, it’s important that any operators be aware of any causes of embrittlement that can affect their in service equipment. Embrittlement is an insidious condition, but with awareness and preparation it can be prevented.
Related Topics
- Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
- Ammonia Stress Corrosion Cracking
- Brittle Fracture
- Carburization
- Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking (Caustic Embrittlement)
- Cavitation
- Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking
- CO2 Corrosion
- Cooling Water Corrosion
- Corrosion Fatigue
- Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)
- Cracking
- Decarburization
- Erosion Corrosion
- Fatigue (Material)
- Graphitization
- High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA)
- Hydrochloric (HCl) Acid Corrosion
- Hydrofluoric (HF) Acid Corrosion
- Hydrogen Blistering
- Hydrogen Embrittlement
- Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC)
- Hydrogen Stress Cracking
- Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME)
- Metal Dusting
- Microbiologically Induced Corrosion (MIC)
- Naphthenic Acid Corrosion (NAC)
- Phosphoric Acid Corrosion
- Polythionic Acid Stress Corrosion Cracking (PASCC)
- Spheroidization (Softening)
- Stress Assisted Corrosion
- Stress-Oriented Hydrogen Induced Cracking (SOHIC)
- Sulfidation Corrosion
- Sulfuric Acid Corrosion
- Thermal Fatigue
- Vibration-Induced Fatigue
- Wet H2S Damage
Topic Tools
Share this Topic
Contribute to Definition
We welcome updates to this Integripedia definition from the Inspectioneering community. Click the link below to submit any recommended changes for Inspectioneering's team of editors to review.
Contribute to Definition
There are many places where brittle fracture risk can sneak into your plant and many reasons why a new or revised brittle fracture assessment may be required when reviewing your pressure systems. Don’t overlook this dangerous failure mechanism.
Temper embrittlement is another form of metallurgical degradation resulting from exposure of susceptible low alloy steels to higher temperature ranges, usually in service, but can occur to some extent even during heat treatment. And, once again, if...
Another form of metallurgical degradation at higher temperatures is called sigma phase embrittlement. As the name implies, a metallurgical phase change occurs in some stainless steels when they are heated above about 1000F (540C).
Titanium (Ti) hydriding is another somewhat unusual metallurgical degradation phenomena that can result in brittle fracture. Unlike many other steel embrittlement phenomena, this one most often occurs in thin wall Ti tubes that have been selected...
This is the name given to a form of embrittlement that occurs in 400 series of stainless steels, duplex SS's and less commonly in some 300 series stainless steels containing a metallurgical phase called ferrite. The embrittlement occurs from 600...
Gecko's robots cover up to 150 square feet per minute and can perform inspections internally or externally. We combine logistical simplicity, speed, and a range of inspection strategies to provide a targeted and economical solution for tank...
Pinnacle builds and runs programs that empower facilities to make value-based decisions on how to manage risk, resulting in safe and profitable operations. We have gathered, organized, and analyzed more mechanical integrity and reliability data than any other company in the world.
Pinnacle builds and runs programs that empower facilities to make value-based decisions on how to manage risk, resulting in safe and profitable operations. We have gathered, organized, and analyzed more mechanical integrity and reliability data than any other company in the world.
Pro-Surve Technical & subsidiaries ProSource Radiography & Walzel Technincal Services are a NDT, integrated inspection, reliability engineering, Data management and project controls service provider assisting clients across CapEx/OpEx budgeted projects processes. We concentrate on solutions provided by the integration of engineering and inspection.
Pro-Surve Technical & subsidiaries ProSource Radiography & Walzel Technincal Services are a NDT, integrated inspection, reliability engineering, Data management and project controls service provider assisting clients across CapEx/OpEx budgeted projects processes. We concentrate on solutions provided by the integration of engineering and inspection.
Stress Engineering Services is an independent, employee-owned consulting engineering firm committed to engineering problem solving. With years of experience in refineries, power stations, chemical plants and pipelines, our focus is on providing engineering solutions to improve plant and refinery on-stream efficiency, safety, and reliability.
Stress Engineering Services is an independent, employee-owned consulting engineering firm committed to engineering problem solving. With years of experience in refineries, power stations, chemical plants and pipelines, our focus is on providing engineering solutions to improve plant and refinery on-stream efficiency, safety, and reliability.
Becht provides comprehensive and technically excellent engineering consulting, and project and turnaround management services to the energy, industrial gas & chemicals sectors, worldwide.
Becht provides comprehensive and technically excellent engineering consulting, and project and turnaround management services to the energy, industrial gas & chemicals sectors, worldwide.
Quest Integrity is a global leader in the development and delivery of asset integrity and reliability management services. Our integrated solutions consist of technology-enabled, advanced inspection and engineering assessment services and products that help organizations in the pipeline, refining, chemical, syngas and power industries improve operational planning, increase profitability, and reduce operational and safety risks.
Quest Integrity is a global leader in the development and delivery of asset integrity and reliability management services. Our integrated solutions consist of technology-enabled, advanced inspection and engineering assessment services and products that help organizations in the pipeline, refining, chemical, syngas and power industries improve operational planning, increase profitability, and reduce operational and safety risks.
E²G is a technology driven company that solves engineering problems. Our consulting services & proprietary software are focused on finding answers to challenging industry problems for new & aging equipment, while promoting safety, preventing future failures, reducing downtime, maximizing reliability, & minimizing damage.
E²G is a technology driven company that solves engineering problems. Our consulting services & proprietary software are focused on finding answers to challenging industry problems for new & aging equipment, while promoting safety, preventing future failures, reducing downtime, maximizing reliability, & minimizing damage.
This Asset Intelligence Report on the hydrogen bake-out process serves as a primer to increase your familiarity with this technique used to drive hydrogen out of equipment prior to welding.
This publication outlines 101 Essential Elements that need to be in place and functioning well in order to effectively and efficiently preserve and protect the reliability and integrity of pressure equipment (i.e. vessels, exchangers, furnaces,...
Floodlight Software digitalizes inspection and testing operations and eliminates paper forms, filing cabinets, and spreadsheets. Your inspection forms plus our software equals a user-friendly mobile interface for inspectors and a robust reporting...
Inspectioneering Journal
Explore over 20 years of articles written by our team of subject matter experts.
Company Directory
Find relevant products, services, and technologies.
Talent Solutions
Discover job opportunities that match your skillset.
Case Studies
Learn from the experience of others in the industry.
Integripedia
Inspectioneering's index of mechanical integrity topics – built by you.
Industry News
Stay up-to-date with the latest inspection and asset integrity management news.
Blog
Read short articles and insights authored by industry experts.
Expert Interviews
Inspectioneering's archive of interviews with industry subject matter experts.
Event Calendar
Find upcoming conferences, training sessions, online events, and more.
Downloads
Downloadable eBooks, Asset Intelligence Reports, checklists, white papers, and more.
Videos
Watch educational and informative videos directly related to your profession.