Testing to Determine the Effect of High-Pressure Hydrogen Environments on the Mechanical Properties of Metals

Abstract

Equipment and procedures used in performing tension, fracture mechanics, fatigue, and creep tests on metal specimens in high-pressure hydrogen are described. Important test parameters, in particular, hydrogen purity and methods of achieving high purity are considered. The interpretation and use of data obtained from the various tests in high-pressure hydrogen are discussed.

Hydrogen Embrittlement Properties of Stainless and Low Alloy Steels in High Pressure Gaseous Hydrogen Environment

“…Effects of chemical compositions of stainless steels on their HEE susceptibilities have been widely investigated in previous studies. 4,7,8) NASA reported that type 316 stainless steel was negligibly embrittled in highly pressurized gaseous hydrogen at room temperature, [1][2][3] while Fukuyama and Yokogawa reported that type 316 showed a ductility loss in hydrogen environments.…”

“…Figure 7 also contains relative R.A. data measured by using pre-hydrogen charged specimens in high temperature gaseous hydrogen (45 MPa H2 at 85°C for 1 000 hrs and 70 MPa H2 at 250°C for 72 hrs), then followed by SSRT in air at room temperature. This type of degradation is called Internal Reversible Hydrogen Embrittlement (IRHE) [1][2][3] caused by absorbed internal hydrogen within the material. Additionally, SSRT under cathodic charging in aqueous solution was also carried out for comparison purpose.…”

“…It is widely recognized that gaseous hydrogen decreases mechanical properties of steels or other metals. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The environmental degradation in gaseous hydrogen is called Hydrogen Environment Embrittlement (HEE), or called Hydrogen Gas Embrittlement (HGE) recently, which occurs when a hydrogen free material is mechanically tested in gaseous hydrogen near room temperatures. NASA has carried out many studies on HEE in the 1960's for the development of fuel systems for space shuttles.…”

“…NASA has carried out many studies on HEE in the 1960's for the development of fuel systems for space shuttles. [1][2][3] Many studies on HEE have been also carried out in Japan. [5][6][7][8] Additionally, several national projects have started and are now continuing to select and develop appropriate materials for the high pressure hydrogen systems.…”

Methodological aspects of evaluation of the characteristics of crack-growth resistance of materials in hydrogen environments under sustained and cyclic loading

“…In this case, one can use the following methods for the experimental evaluation of the characteristics of crack resistance of materials in hydrogen environments [2][3][4][5]: Thus, we have actually reduced the problem to the evaluation of the constants A, ~0, n, z, c~, and B.…”