Hydrogen embrittlement risk of automotive steel

Advanced high-strength steels have wide applications in automotive body-in-white components due to their combination of high strength, fracture resistance, and low cost. However, its further promotion is restricted by the critical challenge from hydrogen embrittlement, especially in the ultra-high strength steels. To study the origin of hydrogen embrittlement and provide inspiration for future research, this review systematically summarizes hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms and advanced hydrogen characterization techniques. Evaluation methods are discussed for assessing hydrogen embrittlement risk. The hydrogen embrittlement behaviors of quenched & partitioned steels, medium-Mn steels, press-hardened steels, and tailor-welded blanks are analyzed, highlighting the roles of microstructure, hydrogen traps, and processing routes. This work provides insights for future research aimed at enhancing the hydrogen resistance of advanced high-strength steels for the automotive industry.