Fatigue crack growth acceleration caused by irreversible hydrogen desorption in high-strength steel and its mechanical condition

► Irreversible hydrogen accelerates the fatigue crack growth rate. ► The acceleration increases with a decrease in stress cycle frequency. ► The acceleration does not depend on the stress ratio. ► Irreversible hydrogen desorbs out from its trap site under cyclic loading. ► The desorption is determined by effective equivalent stress range.