On the role of precipitates in hydrogen trapping and hydrogen embrittlement of a nickel-based superalloy

•Successfully imaged H concentrations in δ phase and carbonitrides, and at their interfaces with the matrix using NanoSIMS in alloy 718.•δ attracts a higher concentration of H than the matrix while carbonitrides adsorb much less. No H segregation was observed at the interfaces.•The higher vulnerability of δ in H induced cracking is attributed to its higher capacity in H adsorption, and vice versa for carbonitrides.