Why Are Hydrogen Inhibitors Important?

Environmentally induced failure processes may often be the result of hydrogen damage rather than oxidation. Atomic hydrogen is a cathodic product of many electrochemical reactions forming during naturally occurring corrosion reactions as well as during many plating or pickling processes. Whether hydrogen is liberated as a gas, or the metal absorbs atomic hydrogen, depends on the surface chemistry of the metal and the electrolyte composition. 

The inhibiting of hydrogen evolution is important for several reasons:

• It improves current efficiencies, thereby reducing power consumption
• It improves health and safety of the process
• It reduces cell resistance and/or over-voltages due to gassing
• It reduces or eliminates electrode spalling and sludging due to hydrogen gassing
• It reduces or eliminates pressure and/or volume increase due to hydrogen gassing, leading to smaller metal-air power sources
• It reduces or eliminates the need for gas venting in commercial products