Role of surface passive films in the hydrogen embrittlement of iron aluminides

The room temperature hydrogen embrittlement problem in iron aluminides has restricted their use as high temperature structural materials. Previous studies have established that surface films affect hydrogen embrittlement (HE). The effect of surface passive layer on the hydrogen embrittlement behaviour of iron aluminides has been critically reviewed in this presentation. The role of thermomechanical treatments in affecting the mechanical properties has been discussed from a processing-structure-properties correlation view point. The alloy development philosophy to yield ductile iron aluminides has been outlined based on this review. Novel iron aluminide intermetallics that are being currently synthesized and characterized along these lines at IIT Kanpur are finally introduced.