Literature Survey of Gaseous Hydrogen Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Carbon and Low Alloy Steels

Abstract

A compendium of mechanical properties of carbon and low alloy steels following hydrogen exposure has been assembled from literature sources. The property sets include yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, uniform elongation, reduction in area, threshold stress intensity factor, fracture toughness, and fatigue crack growth. These properties are from literature sources under a variety of test methods and conditions. The collection of literature data is by no means complete, but the diversity of data and dependency of results on test method are sufficient to warrant a design and implementation of a standardized test program. The program would be needed to enable a defensible demonstration of structural integrity of a pressurized hydrogen system. It is essential that the environmental variables be well-defined (e.g., the applicable hydrogen gas pressure range and the test strain rate) and the specimen preparation be realistically consistent (such as the techniques to charge hydrogen and to maintain the hydrogen concentration in the specimens).