The effect of hydrogen evolution on corrosion pit growth under fatigue conditions

About the Project

There is no funding attached to this project.

The Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.

PhD Research Topic:

The transition to a hydrogen-based energy infrastructure is accelerating, bringing new challenges for the safe use of metallic materials in demanding environments. One of the most critical issues is the combined action of pitting corrosion, cyclic loading and hydrogen evolution, which can significantly reduce structural integrity and lead to premature failure. Corrosion pits act as local stress raisers from which fatigue cracks can initiate, while hydrogen generated within these pits can further accelerate damage through embrittlement mechanisms. Despite extensive research, the coupled interaction between pit growth, fatigue loading and hydrogen effects remains poorly understood.

This project aims to address this challenge by developing a comprehensive experimental and modelling framework to investigate how hydrogen evolution influences corrosion pit growth and subsequent fatigue crack initiation and propagation. The work will generate new fundamental insight and support the development of predictive tools for engineering applications in hydrogen-rich environments.