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Hydrogen Embrittlement of Steel (2D Cross-Section)

Interactive 2D cross-section simulator of hydrogen embrittlement in steel: watch hydrogen atoms diffuse into a stressed crack tip, lower the local fracture threshold (HEDE), and drive subcritical crack growth toward failure. Pan and zoom the lattice.

Materials Science2DAdvanced60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

A stressed steel specimen with a starter notch, rendered as a 2D lattice of iron atoms viewed edge-on, with mobile hydrogen atoms diffusing through it. Hydrogen is drawn down the hydrostatic-stress gradient toward the crack tip exactly as Oriani equilibrium predicts, and once trapped there in sufficient concentration it lowers the threshold stress intensity for crack growth (hydrogen-enhanced decohesion), driving subcritical crack advance that can end in fracture well below the steel's dry design strength. Adjust applied stress, environmental hydrogen level, temperature and steel grade and watch the crack-tip hydrogen concentration, stress intensity factor and threshold race toward — or away from — failure. Drag to pan the lattice and scroll to zoom in on the crack tip.

⚙ Under the hood

Watch hydrogen atoms diffuse into a stressed crack tip in a 2D cross-section of a steel bar, lower the fracture threshold through hydrogen-enhanced decohesion, and drive subcritical crack growth toward failure. Drag to pan, scroll to zoom.

hydrogen embrittlementmaterials sciencefracture mechanicssteelHEDEdiffusion2D

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install