Effect of hydrogen—solute interaction on the environmental embrittlement of ordered intermetallics

The effect of alloying on the environmental (and hydrogen) embrittlement of ordered intermetallics is discussed in terms of the interaction between hydrogen and alloying atoms. A large effect of alloying on embrittlement is shown for various crystal structures, alloy systems and microstructures. Some alloying elements are very beneficial in suppressing the environmental embrittlement. The mechanisms of this alloying effect involve various kinetic processes associated with hydrogen, such as decomposition of moisture (or hydrogen gas), migration, condensation and bond breaking.