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HTHA - Hydrogen Attack
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HTHA – Hydrogen Attack
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High Temperature Hydrogen Attack
HTHA – Hydrogen Attack
HTHA – High temperature hydrogen attack is a form of damage commonly
observed in steels exposed to high pressure hydrogen at elevated temperatures.
The damage occurs as hydrogen atoms di use into steels, react with carbon, form
methane gas internally in the material, which results in decarburization and
ssuring (micro-cracking). This damage leads to loss of tensile strength and
toughness. More importantly, it can cause catastrophic failure without prior HTHA observed in HAZ of
Vessel Weld
warning, especially if occurring in the weld H.A.Z.
Extensive research has been carried out to investigate a reliable means to evaluate equipment that fall into the
category of high risk potential for HTHA damage.
Advanced NDT Solutions has adopted a multiple ultrasonic technique approach,
that includes industry accepted techniques and in addition supplemental Phased
Array & TOFD technology to further evaluate and characterize suspect damage.
Technique #1 – Ultrasonic Backscattering
This technique is based upon the principle that ultrasound will be scattered by
changes in the grain boundaries resulting from the presence of hydrogen damage.
The extent of this damage can be directly correlated to a through-wall depth value Early HTHA
of a ected material thickness and its location in relation the ID/OD surfaces. Using
a combination of 10 Mhz and 5 MHz transducers.
Pattern #1:Continuous decrease of backscattering from OD to ID surface.
Pattern #2:Large discrete re ections but no hydrogen attack.
Pattern #3:Hydrogen attack which has progressed to mid-wall.
Pattern #4:Hydrogen damage at the internal surface.
HTHA Ultrasonic
Technique #2 – Velocity Ratio Calculations: HTHA damage greater than 20% of Backscattering Patterns
material thickness will alter the relationship between the ultrasonic velocities of
longitudinal and shear-wave transit times. Normal undamaged material should have a ratio within the range of
0.54 – 0.55. Formula Ratio = Velocity L / Velocity S
Technique #3 – Spectral Analysis (FFT) Ultrasonic spectrum analysis is
accomplished by converting the rst back-wall signal from a time domain to a
signal attenuation (dB) with regards to a frequency domain. A clean location will
show no increase in ultrasonic attenuation as frequency is increased on the other
hand a HTHA damaged region will.
Technique #4 – High Frequency Shearwave of Welds & HAZ Recent research has
revealed that utilization of a high frequency shear-wave examination of welds and Spectral Analysis
the HAZ can also help detect HTHA damage. This technique utilizes a pitch catch
ultrasonic technique utilizing a pair of 10MHz 45° shear-wave probes.
Technique #5 – Phased Array Ultrasonic Supplemental Phased Array techniques
indicate all locations to contain sound material with no indication of HTHA. Images
below show Sectorial display -30° to +30° sweep of inspection locations.

High Frequency Shearwave

Clean Base Material Scattered Discrete

HTHA Damage
Display Inclusions
connected to ID

ISONIC 3510 / Screening and Evaluation of HTHA Damages / S-Scan – TFM Toggling

ISONIC 3510 / Screening and Evaluation of HTHA Damage…

Damage…

ISONIC 3505 / Screening and Evaluation of HTHA Damages / Frequency Domain Signal
Analysis

ISONIC 3505, 3507 / Screening and Evaluation of HTHA Da…

Da…

ISONIC 3505: SRUT – Dry and Submersed Piece of the Annular Ring Plate