HYDROGEN CRACKING

( Cold Cracking )

Hydrogen cracking occurs primarily in the grain-coarsened region of the HAZ of all
hardenable steels, (C Mn steels)or in the weld metal of HSLA Steels.The 4 major
factors involved with the formation of a hydrogen induced crack are .
A Hydrogen content of more than 15ml/100g weld metal. The Hydrogen comes from
moisture, paint oil, grease, damp electrodes or fluxes, loss of shielding gas.
A stress level of greater than 50% Yield. The stress comes from residual welding
stress , restraint stress.
Ahardness of greater than 350 Vickers. The hardness refers to a crack sensitive
microstructure and is related to the Cev of the steel and the formation of martensite, a
hard structre caused by rapid cooling of steels.
A temperature of less than 300C. There is nothing that can be done to stop the
temperature from eventually falling below the critical level on the completion of
welding or any required P.W.H.T so Ndt needs to be carried out for up to 72
Hoursafter welding to check for delayed cracking.
All 4 factors need to be present at the same time for a crack to occur so if any factor is
reduced below its critical level a crack will be avoided.