Open Access

The key for a transition into clean energy sources is based on the construction of safe energy infrastructure, such as transportation pipelines for Hydrogen. Duplex Stainless Steels (DSS) are an essential component used nowadays in the construction of transportation pipelines because of their many distinctive qualities. The choice of DSS for a particular hydrogen application mainly depends on its susceptibility level to Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE) or Hydrogen Assisted Cracking (HAC). Since the 20th century, the literature indicates three factors that must be considered: the microstructure of the alloy steel, the hydrogen concentration, and the mechanical load. Several mechanisms have been also proposed to describe the occurring microscale processes behind HE or HAC, and these include metastable phase transformation, Hydrogen Enhanced Localized Plasticity (HELP), and Hydrogen Enhanced Decohesion (HEDE). The following contribution describes the path to ascertain if DSS is suitable for high-pressure gaseous hydrogen applications. The interplay between several critical factors that result in HAC was examined using high-pressure gaseous hydrogen charging, Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), and hydrogen concentration measurements using Carrier Gas Hot Extraction (CGHE). It was determined whether the strain-induced martensitic transformation of the austenite was present in a DSS 1.4462 (DSS2205) in-service pipe and in samples of freshly charged DSS 1.4462. In comparison to the common electrochemical charging described broadly in the literature, no major direct martensitic phase transformation of the austenite phase under a high-pressure hydrogen environment was observed. As for future experiments, the intention is to analyse the impact of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen on the welded components of this grade, and under mechanical load via the hollow specimen technique.

The key to a successful transition into clean energy carriers such as hydrogen requires the construction of safe transportation pipelines made of alloys which are not susceptible to hydrogen assisted cracking. Duplex Stainless Steels (DSS) are considered as a proper class for components because of their many distinctive qualities. As this consideration depends strongly on the susceptibility level to Hydrogen Assisted Cracking (HAC), the DSS class has been broadly investigated under electrochemical charging conditions. In this work, the interplay between several factors controlling the level of HAC, was examined using light microscopy, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen pre-charging, Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), tensile testing, fractography and hydrogen concentration measurements using Carrier Gas Hot Extraction (CGHE). The effect of gaseous hydrogen on the mechanical properties with the role of hydrogen induced phase transformation have been investigated both in unused material and in high pressure pipeline section. In contrary to the common electrochemical charging described broadly in the literature, no significant martensitic phase transformation of the austenitic phase was observed. On the other hand, the influence of hydrogen on parameters such as elongation at fracture and reduction of area was noticeable. It is concluded based on the performance of DSS in gaseous hydrogen, that this material has a better potential for utilization in hydrogen applications. As for future experiments, the intention is to analyse the impact of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen on the welded components of this grade, and under mechanical load using the hollow specimen technique.