Hydrogen Effects on Materials Laboratory (HEML)

The HEML has been active in research of hydrogen-materials interactions for two decades. In addition to the resources on these pages, more information can be found at the following links:

  • Hydrogen Extremely Low Probability of Rupture (HELPR): open-source code for probabilistic assessment of defects in pressure structures, motivated by hydrogen pipelines but also applicable to pressure vessels – https://helpr.sandia.gov
  • Hydrogen Materials Compatibility Consortium (H-Mat): https://h-mat.org

HEML Reference List:

Pipeline Steels

  1. J. Ronevich, M. Agnani, C. San Marchi: “Consistency of fatigue crack growth behavior of pipeline and low-alloy pressure vessel steels in gaseous hydrogen” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 136 (2025) 686.
  2. C. Nowak, B.J. Kagay, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, X.W. Zhou: “Molecular dynamics examination of hydrogen effects on relative fracture properties of interfaces between ferrite, martensite, and cementite in Fe-C steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 136 (2025) 865.
  3. F.D. León-Cázares, M. Agnani, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Effects of hydrogen partial pressure on crack initiation and growth rate in vintage X52 steel” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 136 (2025) 914 .
  4. C. Nowak, R.B.Sills, J.A. Ronevich, C.W. San Marchi, X.W. Zhou: “Atomistic simulations of hydrogen distribution in Fe-C steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 47 (2022) 32732.
  5. J.A. Ronevich, E.J. Song, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi: “Hydrogen-assisted fracture resistance of pipeline welds in gaseous hydrogen” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 46 (2021) 7601.
  6. X. Zhou, M.E. Foster, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Review and construction of interatomic potentials for molecular dynamics studies of hydrogen embrittlement in Fe-C based steels”. J Comput Chem 41 (2020) 1299.
  7. J.A. Ronevich, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi: “Effects of microstructure banding on hydrogen assisted fatigue crack growth in X65 pipeline steels”. Intern J Fatigue 82 (2016) 497-504.
  8. B.P. Somerday, P. Sofronis, K.A. Nibur, C. San Marchi, R. Kirchheim: “Elucidating the variables affecting accelerated fatigue crack growth of steels in hydrogen gas with low oxygen concentrations”. Acta mater 61 (2013) 6153-6170.
  9. B.P. Somerday and C. San Marchi, “Hydrogen Containment Materials”, Solid-State Hydrogen Storage: Materials and Chemistry, G. Walker, editor, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, 2008 pp. 51-81.
  10. B.P. Somerday and C. San Marchi, “Effects of Hydrogen Gas on Steel Vessels and Pipelines”, Materials for the Hydrogen Economy, R.H. Jones and G.J. Thomas, editors, CRC Press, New York, 2008, pp. 157-179.
  11. J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Challenges and insights in fracture testing of pipeline steels in gaseous hydrogen” (IPC2026-186483), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 International Pipeline Conference, 21-25 September 2026, Calgary, AB, Canada.
  12. C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich: “Hydrogen-assisted fatigue and fracture of carbon steels in pressurized gases with low partial pressure of hydrogen” (IPC2026-186466), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 International Pipeline Conference, 21-25 September 2026, Calgary, AB, Canada.
  13. M.E. Cristea, S. Cravero, C. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich, “Effect of overload on fracture resistance for line pipe application in gaseous hydrogen environment” (PVP2026-180240), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.
  14. J. Pakarinen, S. Nandy, P. Moilanen, E. Huttunen-Saarivirta, P. Pohjanne, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, “Fatigue crack growth and fracture investigations for vintage X65 and modern X70 pipeline steels” (PVP2026-186466), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

Pressure vessel steels

  1. J. Ronevich, M. Agnani, C. San Marchi: “Consistency of fatigue crack growth behavior of pipeline and low-alloy pressure vessel steels in gaseous hydrogen” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 136 (2025) 686.
  2. K.A. Nibur, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi, J.W. Foulk, M. Dadfarnia, P. Sofronis: “The relationship between crack-tip strain and subcritical cracking thresholds for steels in high-pressure hydrogen gas”. Metall Mater Trans 44A (2013) 248-269.
  3. K.A. Nibur, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi, J.W. Foulk III, M. Dadfarnia, P. Sofronis, G.A. Hayden; “Measurement and interpretation of threshold stress intensity factors for steels in high-pressure hydrogen gas”, SAND2010-4633, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore CA.
  4. B.P. Somerday and C. San Marchi, “Hydrogen Containment Materials”, Solid-State Hydrogen Storage: Materials and Chemistry, G. Walker, editor, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, 2008 pp. 51-81.
  5. B.P. Somerday and C. San Marchi, “Effects of Hydrogen Gas on Steel Vessels and Pipelines”, Materials for the Hydrogen Economy, R.H. Jones and G.J. Thomas, editors, CRC Press, New York, 2008, pp. 157-179.

Austenitic stainless steels

  1. A. Stubbers, B.P. Rocky, C. Gilleland, R. Shrestha, C. San Marchi, R.P. Wilderson, G.B. Thompson, C.R. Weinberger: “Hydrogen embrittlement and mechanical response of 304L steel with ZrC additions” Mater Sci Eng A955 (2026) 149824.
  2. X.W. Zhou, F.D. Leon-Cazares, A.T. Ta, C. San Marchi: “Interplay between hydrogen, temperature, and character angle on dissociated dislocation energies in Fe-Ni-Cr austenitic stainless steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 179 (2025) 151702.
  3. F.D. Leon-Cazares, X. Zhou, C. Alleman, C. San Marchi: “Dislocation nano-hydrides in nickel: Nucleation, evolution and effects on dislocation behaviors” J Mech Phys Solids 205 (2025) 106310.
  4. X.W. Zhou, F.D. Leon-Cazares, C. San Marchi: “New molecular dynamics studies of hydrogen effects on cross-slip energy barriers in austenitic stainless steels” Comput Mater Sci 257 (2025) 113990.
  5. D.M. Oliveria, C.W. San Marchi, D.L. Medlin, J.C. Gibeling: “Hydrogen influences thermal activation parameters for dislocation glide during low cycle fatigue of 316L stainless steels” Mater Sci Eng A932 (2025) 148243.
  6. F.D. León-Cázares, X. Zhou, B. Kagay, J.D. Sugar, C. Alleman, M. Agnani, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Hydrogen effects on deformation and slip localization in a single crystal austenitic stainless steel” Intern J Plasticity 180 (2024) 104074.
  7. S.K. Lawrence, R. Pokharel, B. Clausen, D.W. Brown, C. San Marchi, M.K. O’Brien, S. Lee, J.-S. Park, P. Kenesei: “In situ x-ray diffraction investigation of hydrogen effects on deformation-induced phase transformation in forged and additively manufactured 304L stainless steel” JOM 75 (2023) 2287.
  8. X.W. Zhou, R. Skelton, R.B. Sills, C. San Marchi: “Slip transmission and voiding during slip band intersections in Fe70Ni10Cr20 stainless steel” Scr Mater 220 (2022) 114925.
  9. D.M. Oliveira, C. San Marchi, D.L. Medlin, J.C. Gibeling: “The influence of hydrogen on the low cycle fatigue behavior of strain-hardened 316L stainless steel” Mater Sci Eng A 849 (2022) 143477.
  10. X.W. Zhou, C. Nowak, R.S. Skelton, M.E. Foster, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, R.B. Sills: “An Fe-Ni-Cr-H interatomic potential and predictions of hydrogen-affected stacking fault energies in austenitic stainless steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 47 (2022) 651-665.
  11. J.E.C. Sabisch, J.D. Sugar, J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, D.L. Medlin: “Interrogating the effects of hydrogen on the behavior of planar deformation bands in austenitic stainless steel” Metall Mater Trans A 52 (2021) 1516-1525.
  12. C. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich, J.E.C. Sabisch, J.D. Sugar, D.L. Medlin, B.P. Somerday: “Effect of microstructural and environmental variables on ductility of austenitic stainless steels” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 46 (2021) 12338-12347.
  13. P.J. Gibbs, P.D. Hough, K. Thuermer, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi, J.A. Zimmerman: “Stacking fault energy based alloy screening for hydrogen compatibility”. JOM 72 (2020) 1982.
  14. H. Jackson, C. San Marchi, D. Balch, B. Somerday, J. Michael: “Effects of low temperature on hydrogen-assisted crack growth in forged 304L austenitic stainless steel”. Metall Mater Trans 47A (2016) 4334-4350.
  15. L.A. Hughes, B.P. Somerday, D.K. Balch, C. San Marchi: “Hydrogen compatibility of austenitic stainless steel tubing and orbital tube welds”. Intern J Hydrogen Energy 39 (2014) 20585-20590.
  16. H.F. Jackson, C. San Marchi, D.K. Balch, B.P. Somerday: “Effect of low temperature on hydrogen-assisted crack propagation in 304L/308L austenitic stainless steel fusion welds”. Corros Sci 77 (2013) 210-221.
  17. C. San Marchi, “Hydrogen embrittlement of austenitic stainless steels and their welds”, Gaseous hydrogen embrittlement of materials in energy technologies (Volume 1), R.P. Gangloff and B.P. Somerday, editors, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, 2012, pp. 592-623.
  18. H.F. Jackson, K.A. Nibur, C. San Marchi, J.D. Puskar, B.P. Somerday: “Hydrogen-assisted crack propagation in 304L/308L and 21Cr-6Ni-9Mn/308L austenitic stainless steel fusion welds”. Corros Sci 60 (2012) 136-144.
  19. K.A. Nibur, B.P. Somerday, C. San Marchi, D.K. Balch: “Effects of strength and microstructure on hydrogen-assisted crack propagation in 22Cr-13Ni-5Mn stainless steel forgings”. Metall Mater Trans  41A (2010) 3348-3357.
  20. C. San Marchi, T. Michler, K.A. Nibur, B.P. Somerday: “On the physical differences between tensile testing of type 304 and 316 austenitic stainless steels with internal and in external hydrogen”. Intern J Hydrogen Energy 35 (2010) 9736-9745.
  21. K.A. Nibur, B.P. Somerday, D.K. Balch, C. San Marchi: “The role of localized deformation in hydrogen-assisted crack propagation of 21Cr-6Ni-9Mn stainless steel”. Acta Mater 57 (2009) 3795-3809.
  22. C. San Marchi, D.K. Balch, K. Nibur, B.P. Somerday: “Effect of High-Pressure Hydrogen Gas on Fracture of Austenitic Steels”. J Pressure Vessel Technol 130 (2008) 041401.
  23. C. San Marchi, B. P. Somerday, X. Tang, G. H. Schiroky, “Effects of alloy composition and strain hardening on tensile fracture of hydrogen-precharged type 316 stainless steels”. Intern J Hydrogen Energy 33 (2007) 889-904.
  24. C. San Marchi, B.P. Somerday, J. Zelinski, X. Tang, G.H. Schiroky, “Mechanical properties of super duplex stainless steel 2507 after gas phase thermal precharging with hydrogen”. Metall Mater Trans 38A (2007) 2763-2775.

Alluminum alloys

  1. C.W. San Marchi, R.A. Karnesky, R.D. Kolasinski: “The Role of Hydrogen Isotopes in Deformation and Fracture of Aluminum Alloys”, SAND2013-0253, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore CA.

Nickel-based alloys

  1. C. San Marchi, T. Zaleski, S. Lee, N.Y.C. Yang, B. Stuart, “Effect of laser peening on the hydrogen compatibility of corrosion-resistant nickel alloy”. Scr Mater 58 (2008) 782-785.
  2. J. Ronevich, C. San Marchi, M. Kent, S. Narasimhachary, F. Palmert, S. Sheng, S. Wanjura: “Fracture resistance of corrosion-resistant alloys at elevated temperature with internal hydrogen” (PVP2026-175536), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

High-entropy alloys

  1. D.M. Oliveira, C.W. San Marchi, E.P. George, A, Nahin, M. Zhang, J.C. Gibeling: “Influence of hydrogen on the low cycle fatigue behavior of the equiatomic CrMnFeCoNi high entropy alloy” Intern J Fatigue 205 (2026) 109414.

Austenitic alloys

  1. Y. Kong, P. Kathayat, A. Williamson, D.W. Brown, S.K. Lawrence, B. Clausen, S.C. Vogel, J.A. Ronevich, C.W. San Marchi, L. Ravkov, L. Balogh, J.G. Speer, K.O. Findley, L. Cho: “Influence of stacking fault energy and hydrogen on deformation mechanisms in high Mn austenitic steels during in-situ tensile testing” Intern J Hydrogen Energy 148 (2025) 149833.
  2. L. Cho, Y. Kong, P. Kathayat, D.W. Brown, S.K. Lawrence, B. Clausen, S.C. Vogel, L. Ravkov, L. Balogh, J.A. Ronevich, C.W. San Marchi, J.G. Speer, K.O. Findley: “Influence of hydrogen on deformation and embrittlement mechanisms in a high Mn austenitic steel: In-Situ neutron diffraction and diffraction line profile analysis” Acta mater 281 (2024) 120420.
  3. P. Kathayat, L. Cho, J.G. Speer, Y. Kong, C.W. San Marchi, J.A. Ronevich, K.O. Findley: “Microstructural engineering of Mn-alloyed austenitic steel for hydrogen storage and delivery” Key Engng Mater 967 (2023) 23.
  4. T. Michler, C. San Marchi, K. Berreth, J. Naumann, R.K. Mishra, R.C. Kubic: “Microstructure, deformation mechanisms and influence of hydrogen on tensile properties of the Co based super alloy DIN 2.4711/UNS N30003”. Mater Sci Eng A 662 (2016) 36-45.
  5. T. Michler, C. San Marchi, J. Naumann, S. Weber, M. Martin: “Hydrogen environment embrittlement of stable austenitic steels”. Intern J Hydrogen Energy 37 (2012) 16231-16246.

Polymer materials

  1. R.R. Barth, K.L. Simmons and C. San Marchi: “Polymers for Hydrogen Infrastructure and Vehicle Fuel Systems: Applications, Properties and Gap Analysis”, SAND2013-8904, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore CA.

Other hydrogen topics

  1. C. San Marchi, E.S. Hecht, I.W. Ekoto, K.M. Groth, C. LaFleur, B.P. Somerday, R. Mukundan, T. Rockward, J. Keller, C.W. James: “Overview of the DOE hydrogen safety, codes and standards program, part 3: Advances in research and development to enhance the scientific basis for hydrogen regulations, codes and standards”. Intern J Hydrogen Energy 42 (2017) 7263-7274.
  2. B.P. Somerday, J.A. Campbell, K.L. Lee, J.A. Ronevich, C. San Marchi: “Enhancing safety of hydrogen containment components through materials testing under in-service conditions”. Intern J Hydrogen Energy 42 (2017) 7314-7321.
  3. A.P. Harris, C.W. San Marchi: “Investigation of the Hydrogen release Incident at the AC Transit Emeryville Facility (Revised)”, SAND2012-8642, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore CA.
  4. B. Schroeder, H. Mendoza, C. San Marchi, J. Ronevich, “Sensitivity of Pipeline Structural Integrity Assessments to Modeling Assumptions in Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics for Evaluating Risks of Transporting Hydrogen and Hydrogen Blends in Natural Gas Infrastructure” (PVP2026-179908), Proceedings of the ASME 2026 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference, 19-24 July 2026, Anaheim CA.

Permeation

  1. R.A. Causey, R.A. Karnesky and C. San Marchi, “Tritium Barriers and Tritium Diffusion in Fusion Reactors”, Comprehensive Nuclear Materials (Volume 4, Chapter 16), R.J.M. Konings, editor, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2012, pp. 511-549.
  2. C. San Marchi, B.P. Somerday, S.L. Robinson, “Permeability, Solubility and Diffusivity of Hydrogen Isotopes in Stainless Steels at High Gas Pressures”, Intern J Hydrogen Energy 32 (2007) 100-116.