EVALUATION OF CRACK RESISTANCE OF CARBON AND LOW-ALLOY STRUCTURAL-STEELS UNDER CONDITIONS OF HYDROGEN CHARGING

Fracture of materials caused by hydrogen embrittlement is a very serio us problem in the operation of pipelines subjected to the effect of hy drogen charging (hydrosulfide-bearing media, external corrosion cracki ng under st-ess, contact with active sulfate-reducing bacteria, etc.). As a rule, this damage occurs in the final stage of the process of cr ack propagation initiated by hydrogen. In order to predict the transit ion from a subcritical stage to a critical stage of unstable fracture and to calculate the strength characteristics of pipes with cracks of a metallurgical of operational origin we must know the permissible mar gin of safety with allowance for hydrogen absorption in the operating period.