Manufacturing Technology 2025, 25(5):618-625 | DOI: 10.21062/mft.2025.064

Hydrogen Embrittlement of Ferritic-Perlitic and Martenzitic Pipe Steels

Anna Knaislová ORCID..., Jan Zmeko, Matěj Reiser, Nikola Macháčková ORCID..., Dalibor Vojtěch ORCID...
Department of Metals and Corrosion Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague. Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic

This study investigates the susceptibility of two pipeline steels, ferritic–pearlitic CSN 12022 and martensitic L80, to hydrogen embrittlement. Electrolytic hydrogen charging increased the absorbed hydrogen content approximately fivefold in both steels, with the martensitic grade showing higher uptake due to its dense dislocation network and carbide distribution. Tensile tests demonstrated that hydrogen had little influence on yield or ultimate tensile strength but caused a severe reduction in ductility. Elongation dropped from 39 % to 13 % in CSN 12022 and from 25 % to 11 % in L80. Fractographic analysis confirmed a transition from ductile dimple fracture to quasi-cleavage fracture in the hydrogen-charged condition. These findings confirm that microstructure strongly affects hydrogen embrittlement: ferritic–pearlitic steel undergoes a more dramatic relative loss in ductility, while martensitic steel retains higher strength but exhibits significant hydrogen-assisted cracking. The results highlight the importance of considering hydrogen effects in the design and application of steels for energy and gas transport systems.

Keywords: Hydrogen embrittlement, Mechanical properties, Tensile tests, CSN 12022 steel, L80 steel
Grants and funding:

Supported by the OPST Project Green Energy Technologies Centre of UJEP, Reg. No CZ.10.02.01/00/24_061/0000462 and Programme Johannes Amos Comenius Project BIODEGRADABLE: Platform for modern implantology - research on individualized biodegradable materials, Reg. No CZ.02.01.01/00/23_020/0008512. The grant of Specific university research – grant No A1_FCHT_2025_011 is also acknowledged

Received: August 21, 2025; Revised: November 7, 2025; Accepted: November 11, 2025; Prepublished online: November 27, 2025; Published: December 8, 2025  Show citation

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Knaislová A, Zmeko J, Reiser M, Macháčková N, Vojtěch D. Hydrogen Embrittlement of Ferritic-Perlitic and Martenzitic Pipe Steels. Manufacturing Technology. 2025;25(5):618-625. doi: 10.21062/mft.2025.064.
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