The study primarily focuses on a single type of steel, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other materials. Different steel compositions and microstructures may exhibit varying responses to hydrogen embrittlement, and the proposed mechanism might not be universally applicable.
Incomplete Mechanistic Understanding
While the study demonstrates improved hydrogen resistance, it doesn't fully elucidate the interplay between hydrogen trapping, crack blunting, and the specific role of manganese-rich zones at the atomic level. A deeper understanding of these interactions is crucial for further optimization and broader application of the proposed strategy.
Lack of Long-Term Performance Evaluation
The long-term performance and stability of the engineered microstructure under realistic service conditions (e.g., cyclic loading, varying hydrogen concentrations, and temperatures) remain to be investigated. Durability and resistance to degradation over time are crucial for practical applications.