Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
(OP)
I know that in general low strength carbon steel, austenitic SST, copper alloys and aluminum alloys are resistant to hydrogen embrittlement caused by exposure to gaseous hydrogen. However, I'm in need of a stronger material than these. What higher strength materials that are compatible with hydrogen? Pressures are typically less than 1500 psi and temperature range is -40 to 180F.
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
You ask really a very important question and are hinting at the "holy grail of materials" for the new Hydrogen Economy.
Effectively, you want an inexpensive high-strength carbon steel resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.
(The other materials you cite are either lower strength or too expensive)
You are not the first to require this ... Many Universities and Research institutions are doing research in this area.
For decades now, there has been a lot of work done on the existing high-strength steel materials (X52) of our nation's Natural Gas Pipelines. These pipelines are prime candidates for transmission of hydrogen and H2/CH4 mixed fuel gasses. Resistance to hydrogen embrittlement is crucial
SANDIA Labs have been doing work for many years. The following is an important overview document that you may find useful:
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/03/f1...
More pipeline information can be found here:
https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/60089954/har...
https://hal.univ-lorraine.fr/hal-02970925/document
https://www.nature.com/articles/nmat3479
Tell us more about the specifics of your project an why Stainless Steel cannot be used
Regards
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
It is fairly strong as annealed, but very often used cold worked to strengths in the 150ksi range.
It does not form any martensite when cold worked (it stays fully non-ferromagnetic).
Nitronic 50 (209) has similar physical properties and slightly better corrosion resistance (and higher price).
These alloys are also legendary for their galling resistance.
Cold drawn Nitronic rod is commonly used for valve stems because of this combination of properties.
I will look, someplace I have some NASA papers on hydrogen service.
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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
"...when logic, and proportion, have fallen, sloppy dead..." Grace Slick
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
Or you could decide the Hydrogen Economy is a dead end and choose another path.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
Fertilizer production involves the intermediate compound carbamic acid, which requires austenitic stainless steels with absolutely zero ferrite or ferrite potential. These steels are 'urea grade' variants of 316 and 310.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
"...when logic, and proportion, have fallen, sloppy dead..." Grace Slick
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
I think we're 20 years from figuring that out so hydrogen would be an excellent career path considering the venture capital available today.
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
(I was not referring to 'careers' on my post.)
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
It would allow running wind farms and solar fields at a desired steady output to the grid and use any excess power for the electrolysers.
Right now, wind power at night and solar in the mornings goes largely unused.
Storing power in batteries is fine, if you need to use it as electricity.
But why use the most expensive storage method when in many cases hydrogen would be more serviceable.
But talk of a full-blown hydrogen economy is not going to work.
It is almost as bad as the idea of putting batteries in airplanes.
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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
I retired 25 years ago no mill in the western hemisphere could produce it. It requires double Q & T. Also , I am not sure of low temperature toughness; this steel can not contain Ni and needs low Mn. You have almost limited yourself to age hardening nickel alloy. A word of caution, titanium can have problems in hydrogen. Amoco made a lot of ammonia and the concern I remember was high temperature attack not ambient temperature.
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
"...when logic, and proportion, have fallen, sloppy dead..." Grace Slick
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
We could inspect the ends from access pits at both ends.
I hated it. Above ground it the way to go.
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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
Roland Heilmann
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen
It was my understanding that the original question was about suitable low-cost materials for high pressure gaseous hydrogen service.
(Kinda like you would need if you wanted to use existing HP Natural Gas piping for hydrogen transport)
The implied issue, IMHO, is Hydrogen Cracking ...
I do not believe that the question is about personal experiences with whatever piping you have used for any kind of gaseous or liquid hydrogen service...
If this metallurgical question can be solved, this would be a great leap forward for energy independence and a clean economy..
Thoughts ?
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Higher strength materials compatible with hydrogen