The intrinsic complexities of the experimental examination of hydrogen embrittlement were discussed. On the basis of these complexities, an experimental approach, in situ electrochemical nano-indentation, was proposed and performed on different materials. This technique was capable of registering the onset of plasticity in extremely small volumes, namely perfect crystals in hydrogen-free and charged conditions. It was shown that hydrogen reduces the required stress for the onset of plasticity, i.e. homogeneous dislocation nucleation by reduction in the shear modulus, dislocation line energy and stacking fault energy. The change in the shear modulus could be related to reduction in crystal cohesion whereas the reduction in dislocation line energy and stacking fault energy were explained by the defactant concept, i.e. reduction in the defect formation energy in the presence of hydrogen. Thus, neither hydrogen-enhanced decohesion nor hydrogen-enhanced plasticity, but the reduction in the cohesion and defect formation energy were responsible for hydrogen embrittlement.

Recent Developments in the Study of Hydrogen Embrittlement - Hydrogen Effect on Dislocation Nucleation. A.Barnoush, H.Vehoff: Acta Materialia, 2010, 58[16], 5274-85