Thu, 15 May, 2025
The latest edition of our ‘Undistilled Engineering’ podcast has been released, dedicated to the fascinating and important topic of hydrogen embrittlement.
Library and Information Services Assistant, Sophie Hobbs is joined by TWI’s Director of Research and Quality Assurance, Dr Paul Woollin for the podcast, ‘What We Know About Hydrogen Embrittlement.’
Hydrogen Embrittlement Research
Hydrogen embrittlement was first noticed as a phenomenon in the 1870s, but it wasn’t until the post-Second World War era that research into hydrogen embrittlement began in earnest as the UK Government invested in scientific research through the creation of several scientific institutes, including the British Welding Research Association (BWRA – later becoming TWI).
As such, we have been researching hydrogen embrittlement since the 1940s, beginning with the effects of hydrogen on carbon manganese steels before moving to investigate hydrogen with a range of materials, including duplex and super duplex steels, polymers and, more recently, additively manufactured alloys such as Inconel 718.
Alongside the research work, TWI’s understanding of hydrogen embrittlement increased through projects undertaken on behalf of industries such as oil and gas, deep-water pipelines, and the automotive sector.
About The Podcast
The podcast was produced by Sophie Hobbs as part of her Library, Information, and Archive Services apprenticeship with Norfolk County Council in order to unlock TWI’s knowledge and resources in the field of hydrogen embrittlement.
Paul Woollin, who has himself been involved in hydrogen embrittlement work during his career, opens up about TWI’s history with hydrogen embrittlement as Sophie presents a timeline of key papers and research published by TWI staff over the years, demonstrating major trends and developments in knowledge.
The podcast also sees Paul discuss industrial applications, provide technical insights, and reminisce on his own involvement with hydrogen embrittlement, including the development of the DNV recommended procedure for avoiding hydrogen cracking in duplex stainless steels (DNV RP F112).
As the ‘hydrogen economy’ continues to grow, from the installation of pipelines to the advent of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, understanding the effect hydrogen has on welds and metals is of great importance.
TWI’s decades-long history of research into hydrogen embrittlement continues to help industry in avoiding the effect of hydrogen on structures and understand its effect on different materials.
You can see the podcast, in full, as well as access a range of related resources, here: https://www.twi-global.com/media-and-events/science-and-engineering-podcasts/what-we-know-about-hydrogen-embrittlement