Evidence of hydrogen embrittlement of tungsten carbide

Tungsten carbide vessels containing materials at high temperature and high pressure are used in many laboratories. We note that any oils at medium to high temperature which can break down and liberate hydrogen cause rapid failure of the pressure vessel, whereas perfluorated kerosenes used as lubricants inside a pressure vessel give sharply increased life of the vessel. Review of Scientific Instruments is copyrighted by The American Institute of Physics.