Karl Popper and the Mechanisms of Hydrogen Embrittlement

Abstract

Small concentrations of hydrogen in a diffusible form within iron are well-established to harm the mechanical integrity of steels. There are theories that attempt to explain the pernicious role of hydrogen. The purpose here is to assess the models, in particular with respect to falsifiability and ability to predict any deterioration in properties or phenomena that can help mitigate hydrogen embrittlement.