Asymptotically Stable Growth of Delaminations under Hydrogen Embrittlement Conditions

Delamination, defined here as separation of the surface layer from the solid body, is observed in many engineering processes and natural phenomena, ranging from surface buckling of layered composites to surface fracturing caused by hydrogen embrittlement in metals. For example, in the case of pipelines for hydrocarbon transport, anti-corrosion, polymer coating sometimes results in more frequent appearance of small scale delaminations. In time, these delaminations spread under molecular hydrogen accumulated in a cavity, damaging the coating and allowing the moisture access to the metal; the result being the external corrosive fracture of the pipeline and its premature replacement. Understanding the mechanism of protective coating delamination may improve estimates of the pipeline longevity, thereby creating an essential industrial potential.