1. n. [Enhanced Oil Recovery]
A type of hydrogen-induced failure produced when hydrogen atoms enter low-strength steels that have macroscopic defects, such as laminations. The defects in the steel (void spaces) provide places for hydrogen atoms to combine, forming gaseous molecular hydrogen [H2] that can build enough pressure to produce blistering. Hydrogen blistering is a problem mainly in sour environments. Frequently, it does not cause a brittle failure, but it can produce rupture or leakages.
See related terms: corrosion control
