As a procedure, hydrogen bake-out is used in many process industries, such as oil and gas, chemicals, and petrochemicals, to help remove hydrogen that has dissolved in metals before performing welding. Typically, hydrogen can enter steel via diffusion or chemical reactions at the surface. Once within the metallic matrix, it can make the steel brittle and/or prone to fracture through several mechanisms collectively called hydrogen embrittlement.
In this article, mechanical engineer Scott Bouse discusses hydrogen bake-out, explains why we bake out steels, and shares industry applications and recommendations.
This primer originally appeared on inspectioneering.com.
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