Role of reduced fracture-surface cohesion in hydrogen embrittlement

Ascertain whether reduced cohesion between hydrogen-covered iron fracture surfaces is solely responsible for hydrogen embrittlement.

Background

The paper concludes that hydrogen can reduce cohesion between iron fracture surfaces through electrostatic repulsion, even while strengthening the combined covalent bonding across those surfaces. This mechanism is presented as one contributor to hydrogen embrittlement rather than necessarily its complete explanation.

The unresolved issue is whether the reduction in fracture-surface cohesion identified in the study is sufficient by itself to account for hydrogen embrittlement, or whether additional mechanisms operating at other length scales are required.