TY - GEN A1 - Rhode, Michael A1 - Mente, Tobias A1 - Kannengießer, Thomas A1 - Czeskleba, Denis T1 - Simulation of hydrogen distribution in submerged arc welded heavy plates as tool for evaluating cold cracking sensitivity for offshore structures N2 - Foundation structures for offshore wind turbines are typically made of heavy plate struc-tural steels, such as S420ML, welded by submerged arc welding. Due to the welding process conditions, higher amounts of hydrogen can be introduced. In this context, large plate thicknesses result in long diffusion paths and a prolonged diffusion time for hydrogen at ambient temperature and possible delayed hydrogen-assisted cold cracking. As a result, hydrogen can accumulate in areas of high mechanical stress and strain. Due to the delayed diffusion, a minimum waiting time of up to 48 h must be observed before non-destructive testing can be performed. In addition, the assessment of possible cold crack locations is very complex. For this reason, a numerical model of a component-like weld test was developed to simulate the temperature field during welding and subsequent cooling. A hydrogen diffusion model based on the temporal-local temperature distribution was established. It was applied to simulate the change of hydrogen distribution as a function of temperature cycle during multi-layer welding and further for the entire waiting time interval ≤ 48 h. As a result, crack critical areas could be evaluated in terms of accu-mulated hydrogen. An advantage of the diffusion model is the simulation of a normalized concentration, i.e. between "0" (no hydrogen) and "1" (max. concentration), which can be scaled to experimentally determined hydrogen concentrations. Finally, selected results for increased real hydrogen ingress are presented, which confirm the relatively high crack resistance of the S420 submerged arc welded joint. KW - Hydrogen assisted cracking KW - Diffusion KW - Numerical simulation KW - Offshore steel PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-632416 DO - https://doi.org/10.21268/20250507-6 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Technische Universität Clausthal CY - Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Deutschland AN - OPUS4-63241 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rhode, Michael A1 - Richter, Tim A1 - Mente, Tobias A1 - Mayr, P. A1 - Nitsche, A. T1 - Thickness and microstructure effect on hydrogen diffusion in creep‑resistant 9% Cr P92 steel and P91 weld metal N2 - Martensitic 9% Cr steels like P91 and P92 show susceptibility to delayed hydrogen assisted cracking depending on their microstructure. In that connection, effective hydrogen diffusion coefficients are used to assess the possible time-delay. Limited data on room temperature diffusion coefficients reported in literature vary widely by several orders of magnitude (mostly attributed to variation in microstructure). Especially P91 weld metal diffusion coefficients are rare so far. For that reason, electrochemical permeation experiments had been conducted using P92 base metal and P91 weld metal (in as-welded and heat-treated condition) with different thicknesses. From the results obtained, diffusion coefficients were calculated using to different methods, time-lag, and inflection point. Results show that, despite microstructural effects, the sample thickness must be considered as it influences the calculated diffusion coefficients. Finally, the comparison of calculated and measured hydrogen concentrations (determined by carrier gas hot extraction) enables the identification of realistic diffusion coefficients. KW - Creep-resistant steel KW - Diffusion KW - Hydrogen assisted cracking KW - Welding KW - Electrochemical permeation PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-540645 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-021-01218-9 SN - 0043-2288 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - Springer Nature Switzerland AG AN - OPUS4-54064 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rhode, Michael A1 - Nietzke, Jonathan A1 - Richter, Tim A1 - Mente, Tobias A1 - Mayr, P A1 - Nitsche, A T1 - Hydrogen effect on mechanical properties and cracking of creep‑resistant 9% Cr P92 steel and P91 weld metal N2 - Martensitic 9% Cr steels like P91 and P92 can show an increased susceptibility to delayed hydrogen-assisted cracking. The focus of this study was the microstructure and heat treatment efect on the mechanical properties of P92 base material and P91 multi-layer weld metal in both as-welded and post weld heat treated (PWHT) condition. Tensile tests with hydrogen free reference samples and electrochemically hydrogen charged samples were carried out; the mechanical properties were assessed and supported by detailed fractographic analysis. Finally, a hydrogen and microstructure-dependent fracture criterion is established. All investigated microstructures showed a hydrogen-infuenced degradation of the mechanical properties compared to the hydrogen-free reference samples. The as-welded martensitic P91 weld metal had the highest degree of degradation in the presence of hydrogen. The P91 PWHT weld metal and the P92 base material had comparable properties. From that point of view, a signifcantly increased risk for hydrogen-assisted cold cracking during welding fabrication of P91 weld joints must be considered before any heat treatment is conducted. T2 - IIW Annual Assembly, Meeting of Commission IX-C CY - Tokyo, Japan DA - 16.07.2022 KW - Creep-resisting materials KW - Welding KW - Hydrogen assisted cracking KW - Hydrogen embrittlement KW - Mechanical properties PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-564070 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-022-01410-5 SN - 0043-2288 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Springer Nature CY - Basel (CH) AN - OPUS4-56407 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Laquai, René A1 - Schaupp, Thomas A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Griesche, Axel A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Lange, Axel A1 - Kannengießer, Thomas A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - 3D Crack analysis in hydrogen charged lean duplex stainless steel with synchrotron refraction CT N2 - Hydrogen in metals can cause a degradation of the mechanical properties, the so-called hydrogen embrittlement. In combination with internal stresses, hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) can occur. This phenomenon is not completely understood yet. To better characterise the cracking behaviour, it is important to gain information about the evolution of the 3D crack network. For this purpose samples of lean duplex stainless steel were loaded with hydrogen by means of electrochemical charging and investigated by means of synchrotron refraction CT and SEM fractography after uniaxial tensile loading. Synchrotron refraction CT is an analyser-based imaging (ABI) technique. It uses a Si (111) single crystal as analyser, which is placed into the beam path between sample and detector. According to Bragg’s law only incident x-rays within a narrow range around the Bragg-angle are diffracted from the analyser into the detector. Hence, the analyser acts as an angular filter for the transmitted beam. This filtering allows to turn the refraction and scattering of x-rays into image contrast. Refraction occurs at all interfaces, where the density of the material changes and is more sensitive to density changes than the attenuation. Therefore, it is possible to detect smaller cracks than with classical x-ray imaging techniques, like CT, with comparable spacial resolution. It also visualises the 3D structure of the cracks and gains quantitative information about their morphology and distribution. Since cracks introduced by HAC are usually very small and have a small opening displacement, synchrotron refraction CT is expected to be well suited for imaging this cracking mechanism and can be a valuable tool to characterise the formation and the evolution of a 3D crack network. T2 - WCNDT 2016 CY - München, Germany DA - 13.06.2016 KW - X-ray refraction KW - Computed tomography KW - Hydrogen assisted cracking KW - Duplex stainless steel PY - 2016 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-366481 SN - 978-3-940283-78-8 VL - BB 158 SP - Tu.4.B.3, 1 EP - 9 AN - OPUS4-36648 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Czeskleba, Denis A1 - Rhode, Michael A1 - Wandtke, Karsten A1 - Irfan, Muhammad Dary A1 - Kannengiesser, Thomas T1 - Hydrogen diffusion in thick-walled S690 SAW joints: part 2 – predictive modeling of heat input and microstructure influence N2 - High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels such as S690 are widely employed in thick-walled welded structures, where hydrogen-assisted cold cracking (HACC) remains a persistent concern. While microstructure-specific hydrogen diffusion coefficients (DH) for weld metal (WM), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base material (BM) were experimentally established in Part 1 of this study, their quantitative influence on hydrogen accumulation and effusion has not yet been fully clarified. This work presents a transient, spatially resolved numerical model for simulating hydrogen transport in multi-pass submerged arc welds. The model integrates experimentally determined DH values with realistic thermal cycles and temperature-dependent boundary conditions. Developed in Python, the simulation tool is purpose-built for hydrogen diffusion in welded joints. It offers a focused, transparent alternative. It offers a focused, transparent alternative to general-purpose finite element platforms. Parametric analyses demonstrate that, although the diffusion coefficients vary by up to 50%, their impact on overall hydrogen retention is minor. In contrast, plate thickness, bead geometry, cooling time (t₈/₅), and interpass temperature exert a dominant influence on hydrogen distribution. Despite clear microstructural differences between the thermomechanically rolled (S690MC) and quenched and tempered (S690Q) variants, including opposite HAZ hardness responses (softening in S690MC, hardening in S690Q) in the (pen)ultimate weld bead, the simulations confirm that their diffusion behavior and hydrogen solubility are closely aligned. Consequently, differences in DH and solubility exert only a minor influence on hydrogen retention compared to thermal exposure and joint geometry. These findings support the interchangeable use of both steel grades in terms of HACC risk due to hydrogen diffusion kinetics under comparable welding conditions. KW - Hydrogen assisted cracking KW - Numerical simulation KW - Diffusion KW - Submerged arc welding PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-655721 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-026-02395-1 SN - 0043-2288 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC AN - OPUS4-65572 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Czeskleba, Denis A1 - Rhode, Michael A1 - Wandtke, Karsten A1 - Irfan, Muhammad Dary A1 - Kannengiesser, Thomas T1 - Hydrogen diffusion in thick-walled S690 saw joints: part 1—experimental determination of microstructure-dependent diffusion coefficients N2 - High-strength low-alloyed steel S690 is widely used in heavy-duty applications, such as structural components, mobile cranes, and industrial plant construction, owing to their high strength and weldability. However, thick-plate submerged arc welding (SAW) can introduce elevated hydrogen levels and residual stresses that promote time-delayed hydrogen-assisted cold cracking (HACC). Accurate, microstructure-specific diffusion data are scarce, limiting predictive HACC assessments. This study presents an experimental determination of hydrogen diffusion coefficients (DH) in two S690 variants: thermomechanically rolled (S690MC) and quenched and tempered (S690Q). Multi-layer SAW welds were produced from 30 mm thick plate material at three heat input levels, and diffusion membranes were extracted from weld metal (WM), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base material (BM). Hydrogen permeation tests, conducted in accordance with DIN En ISO 17081, yielded flux curves normalized in time from which DH was derived using the inflection-point method. At room temperature, DH values ranged from 6 × 10−5 mm2/s to 9 × 10−5 mm2/s across all regions and heat inputs, with no significant difference between S690MC and S690Q. Weld metal exhibited marginally lower DH, attributed to enhanced hydrogen trapping, while base material measurements showed greater variability. These microstructure-resolved diffusion coefficients add quantitative data for modern S690 SAW welds and provide internally consistent input parameters for the numerical simulations presented in part 2. The results support improved parameterization for subsequent assessments of HACC risk through the optimization of welding parameters. KW - Hydrogen assisted cracking KW - Submerged arc welding KW - Diffusion KW - Electrochemical permeation KW - Microstructure PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-655711 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-026-02400-7 SN - 0043-2288 SP - 1 EP - 15 PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC AN - OPUS4-65571 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -