Hydrogen-Induced Cracking

Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) is a common form of wet H2S damage caused by the initiation and propagation of small crack-like flaws, often resembling small internal voids or blisters, that are generally laminar (in-plane) and oriented parallel to the inside and outside surfaces of steel. HIC usually occurs due to the effects of aqueous hydrogen diffusing into steel in wet H2S refinery process environments.

NACE TM0284 is the Test Method Evaluation of Pipeline and Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking.