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Hydrogen and its derivatives (e.g. ammonia) are considered as a suitable energy carrier in the future supply of renewable energy. Hydrogen transportation systems require pipes, valves and fittings, among other components. In this sense, austenitic stainless steels are commonly used structural materials for pure hydrogen applications. Stable austenitic alloys, like AISI 316L, are often assumed to be practically unsusceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. At the same time, a number of studies show the influence of hydrogen even in 316L under some circumstances. Some other studies state that this embrittlement could be avoided by using steel grades with a higher nickel equivalent which contributes to a more stable austenitic phase. Nonetheless, 316L is widely used in hydrogen atmospheres since many years because of lower costs and positive practical experience. For these reasons, not only 316L but also 304 could be further utilized by identifying the exact constraints.
With increasing demand for components regarding hydrogen applications, additive manufacturing technologies are getting increasingly important complementary to conventional manufacturing. In the context of additive manufacturing, 316L is a common material as well. The manufacturing process offers great advantages due to higher freedoms in design and the possibility for customized components in small batches. For example, valves with improved flow characteristics and reduced component weight can be produced. Nevertheless, there is still lack of experience and experimental results concerning additively manufactured parts under hydrogen service. Therefore, the influence on the material properties for additively manufactured parts in hydrogen environments needs to be further investigated.
In the present work, slow strain rate testing (SSRT) has been applied using hollow specimens. This testing procedure allows to perform practicable and faster in-situ tests in comparison to tests in autoclaves and investigate the influence of hydrogen on the mechanical properties.
Conventional AISI 304 and 316L specimens as well as additively manufactured 316L specimens were tested at room temperature and a pressure of 200 bar. Elongation at fracture and relative reduction of area (RRA) have been used to evaluate the influence of hydrogen. It is shown that the influence of hydrogen is more pronounced in 304 than in 316L. Furthermore, potentially influencing factors such as surface roughness, microstructure and porosity are discussed.
Elastomeric seals are essential components in the infrastructure which prevent leakage of gas and proper function of technical devices and are therefore highly safety relevant. For proper function a remaining resilience and tolerance to pressure changes is required.
The ageing of elastomers is an undesirable but inevitable process leading to a limited lifetime of rubber products such as seals. Independent of the application, as e.g. automotive, piping or container applications, a long lifetime or at least a timely exchange of a seal before occurrence of critical failure is desired.
Hydrogen is a key element for the energy turnaround and therefore the compatibility of seals with hydrogen is essential. In addition to the effect of hydrogen uptake and release, which might also cause destructive effects such as rapid gas decompression, ageing at high temperature under hydrogen atmosphere is of interest too. Most of the existing work is addressing the performance of new materials and comprises only very limited investigations concerning long-term use and the behaviour of aged materials in contact with hydrogen. As ageing can lead to substantial changes of material properties, it must be evaluated whether these changes are beneficial or deteriorating for the component function.
In this work we present and compare results of the characterisation of three sealing materials (EPDM, HNBR, FKM) after ageing at high temperature under hydrogen and air. Despite the common assumption that ageing under hydrogen atmosphere should be less severe for the material in comparison to air ageing, this is not the case for every material.