High Pressure H2 - Material Compatibilities
High Pressure H2 - Material Compatibilities
(OP)
Does anyone know of a good reputable source of information on material compatibilities for high pressure (6500 psig) hydrogen? I know there are problems with hydrogen embrittlement of some steels, and that some elastomers are problematic due to the small size of the H2 molecule, but I haven't found any definitive answers on what definitely can and can't be used.





RE: High Pressure H2 - Material Compatibilities
What are you trying to build? At this stage I am also researching some possible H2 projects and I will probably have similar questions to yours down the road.
Cheers,
RE: High Pressure H2 - Material Compatibilities
For elastomers, Parker O-Ring Division, tel 859.269.2351, is a good bet, per pkopic's suggestion.
RE: High Pressure H2 - Material Compatibilities
Go to http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codeq/doctree/safeheal.htm#
and click on the "Hydrogen Safety" box in the tree. There is a good section on hydrogen embrittlement, and a table in the appendix indicating the susceptibility of various materials to hydrogen embrittlement. The source of the table is given as:
Chandler, W. T. and R. J. Walter, “Testing to Determine the Effect of High Pressure
Hydrogen Environments on the Mechanical Properties of Metals,” in Hydrogen
Embrittlement Testing, ASTM 543, American Society for Testing and Materials,
Philadelphia, PA (1974): pp. 170-197.
Does anyone know where I could find this ASTM document? I couldn't find it at the ASTM web site.
RE: High Pressure H2 - Material Compatibilities
The ASTM info you are seeking has probably morphed into the ASTM Test Method G 142, titled "Standard Test Method for Determination of Susceptibility of Metals to Embrittlement in Hydrogen Containing Environments at High Pressure, High Temperature, or Both", found in ASTM Standards Volume 03.02.