Publications

Results 126–150 of 193

Search results

Jump to search filters

Evaluating the resistance of austenitic stainless steel welds to hydrogen embrittlement

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP

Ronevich, Joseph; San Marchi, Chris; Balch, Dorian K.

Austenitic stainless steels are used extensively in hydrogen gas containment components due to their known resilience in hydrogen environments. Depending on the conditions, degradation can occur in austenitic stainless steels but typically the materials retain sufficient mechanical properties within such extreme environments. In many hydrogen containment applications, it is necessary or advantageous to join components through welding as it ensures minimal gas leakage, unlike mechanical fittings that can become leak paths that develop over time. Over the years many studies have focused on the mechanical behavior of austenitic stainless steels in hydrogen environments and determined their properties to be sufficient for most applications. However, significantly less data have been generated on austenitic stainless steel welds, which can exhibit more degradation than the base material. In this paper, we assess the trends observed in austenitic stainless steel welds tested in hydrogen. Experiments of welds including tensile and fracture toughness testing are assessed and comparisons to behavior of base metals are discussed.

More Details

Fatigue crack growth rates of X100 steel welds in high pressure hydrogen gas considering residual stress effects

Engineering Fracture Mechanics

Ronevich, Joseph; D'Elia, Chris; Elia, Michael R.'.

Fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) data were measured in high pressure hydrogen gas versus stress intensity factor range (ΔK) in specimens removed from a X100 welded steel pipe. Three distinct regions of the pipe weld were examined: base metal, weld fusion zone, and heat affected zone. Tests were performed at a load ratio (R) of 0.5, frequency of 1 Hz, and at a hydrogen gas pressure of 21 MPa. Tests were also performed in air at 10 Hz as a reference. Fatigue crack growth rates were observed to be over an order of magnitude higher for tests performed in hydrogen compared to the rates from tests in air. Residual stress measurements were collected on identical specimens cut from the base metal, weld, and heat affected zone to account for their influence on measured FCGR data. The slitting method provided residual stress and residual stress intensity factor (Kres), the effect of which was removed from the FCGR data using Knorm in order to provide a more direct comparison of crack growth resistance of the base metal, weld and heat affected zone. Prior to accounting for residual stress, FCGR in hydrogen gas appeared to be highest in the weld fusion zone. Furthermore, after accounting for residual stress effects, the weld fusion zone FCGR data converged to the base metal FCGR data, which underscores the importance of accounting for residual stress effects when assessing fatigue performance.

More Details
Results 126–150 of 193
Results 126–150 of 193