Investigation of high-temperature hydrogen embrittlement of sensitized austenitic stainless steels

• Hydrogen embrittlement is demonstrated when subsequent testing is performed at room temperature.
• When exposed to hydrogen and burst tested at high temperature (1073 K), burst strength is reduced.
• When exposed to hydrogen and burst tested at high temperature (1073 K), ductility is reduced.

Several new hydrogen production methods are currently being developed for commercialization. These new production methods, such as gasification of various feedstocks, operate in the temperature range from 973 K to 1173 K. There are concerns regarding potential hydrogen embrittlement and sensitization occurring in the stainless steel process components. In the current study, burst test specimens were fabricated from AISI stainless steel types 310S, 316/316L, and 321. Each specimen was sensitized and charged with hydrogen. The burst strength of the specimens was determined using nitrogen gas. Both burst strength and ductility were compared with typical values for each grade available from the literature. It was determined that both the burst strength and the ductility were reduced by exposure to hydrogen in the conditions used in this study. These results indicate that care should be used in the design of hydrogen production facilities using stainless steel alloys even at temperatures not typically associated with hydrogen embrittlement.