Abstract
The generation of reliable data pertaining to the risk of hydrogen embrittlement, HE, of high performance metallic materials used in energy systems requires generally accepted test methods, specified in respective procedures and standards. In view of the various test philosophies for assessing HE, the chapter will focus on the fracture mechanics approach using pre-cracked specimens and accelerated loading techniques. The underlying mechanistics, the advantages and potential draw-backs of this approach will be discussed together with the interrelationship between results thus obtained and data generated using the more "classical" methods.
