Hydrogen Embrittlement

Risk of hydrogen embrittlement

Hydrogen embrittlement of high strength bolts of property classes 10.9 and 12.9 is a change in material behavior by atomic hydrogen which can lead to brittle fracture under tensile load caused by the tightening procedure or in service conditions. According to DIN EN ISO 4042, which describes electroplating of threaded parts like bolts, there is a risk of hydrogen embrittlement for all fasteners with hardness above 320 HV. Also other parts with hardness above 320 HV have a risk of hydrogen embrittlement, even when this hardness values only occur locally.

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