On the Contradiction of Applying Rolled Threads to Bolting Exposed to Hydrogen-Bearing Environments

Abstract

Summary Numerous industries continue to experience bolting failures as a result of hydrogen stress cracking (HSC) when exposed to hydrogenbearing environments such as seawater with cathodic protection (CP) or as a result of insufficient baking after plating operations. This paper describes the mistaken, but long-held, belief that because rolled threads are beneficial for fatigue resistance, they are at best not injurious to the performance of bolting from other causes of failure such as environmental cracking.