2008 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 205-213
Hydrogen Environment Embrittlement (HEE) susceptibility in high pressure gaseous hydrogen was investigated on austenitic stainless steels and A6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Tensile properties of these materials were evaluated by Slow Strain Rate Test (SSRT) in gaseous hydrogen pressurized up to 90MPa in the temperature range from-40 to 85°C. HEE susceptibilities of austenitic stainless steels strongly depended upon the chemical compositions and testing temperatures. A6061-T6 aluminum alloy showed no degradation by hydrogen. Fatigue properties in high pressure gaseous hydrogen were evaluated by the external cyclic pressurization test using tubular specimens. The tubular specimen was filled with high pressure hydrogen gas. The outside of the specimen was cyclically pressurized with water. Type 304 showed a decrease in the fatigue life in hydrogen gas, while as for type 316L and A6061-T6 the difference of the fatigue life between hydrogen and argon environments was small. HEE susceptibilities of investigated materials were discussed based on the stability of an austenitic structure.
