Keeping hydrogen from cracking metals
Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 06:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Metal alloys such as steel and zirconium that are used in pipes for nuclear reactors and oil fields naturally acquire a protective oxide or sulfide layer. But hydrogen penetration can lead to their breakdown and speed up corrosion. Understanding how defects in the protective layer allow hydrogen to penetrate could lead to designing stronger, more corrosion resistant alloys.