Hydrogen embrittlement risk of high strength galvanized steel in contact with alkaline media

The critical conditions for hydrogen embrittlement (HE) risk of high strength galvanized steel (HSGS) wires and tendons exposed to alkaline concrete pore solutions have been evaluated by means of electrochemical and mechanical testing.There is a relationship between the hydrogen embrittlement risk in HSGS and the length of hydrogen evolution process in alkaline media. The galvanized steel suffers anodic dissolution simultaneously to the hydrogen evolution which does not stop until the passivation process is completed. HSGS wires exposed to a very high alkaline media have showed HE risk with loss in mechanical properties only if long periods with hydrogen evolution process take place with a simultaneous intensive galvanized coating reduction.

► Hydrogen embrittlement risk of high strength galvanized steel in alkaline media.
► Relationship between hydrogen embrittlement risk and length of hydrogen evolution process.
► Influence of calcium concentration in high strength galvanized steel passivation.
► Electrochemical and mechanical behavior of high strength galvanized steel.