How is hydrogen used in making and processing metals?

Hydrogen plays several critical roles in the production and processing of metals, serving both as a functional agent and as a substance that must be carefully managed to ensure material quality.

Industrial Applications

• Direct Reduction: Hydrogen is used in the direct reduction of iron ores to produce metallic iron, as well as in the reduction of tungsten and molybdenum oxides to their respective metals.1
• Controlled Atmospheres: A hydrogen-rich (reducing) atmosphere is employed during the pouring of special castings, the manufacture of magnesium, and the annealing of metals.1
• Equipment Cooling: Hydrogen is used for the cooling of large electric motors.1

Challenges in Steelmaking

While hydrogen is useful in processing, its presence in liquid steel is often detrimental. It can be absorbed from sources such as moist air, damp refractories, or wet flux. If not removed, hydrogen causes brittleness in solidified steel—particularly in heavy forgings—and can lead to the formation of blowholes in castings. Consequently, removing hydrogen is a vital step in primary steelmaking to maintain the structural integrity and ductility of the final product.2