Publications

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Banded ferrite-pearlite X65 pipeline steel was tested in high pressure hydrogen gas to evaluate the effects of oriented pearlite on hydrogen assisted fatigue crack growth. Test specimens were oriented in the steel pipe such that cracks propagated either parallel or perpendicular to the banded pearlite. The ferrite-pearlite microstructure exhibited orientation dependent behavior in which fatigue crack growth rates were significantly lower for cracks oriented perpendicular to the banded pearlite compared to cracks oriented parallel to the bands. The reduction of hydrogen assisted fatigue crack growth across the banded pearlite is attributed to a combination of crack-tip branching and impeded hydrogen diffusion across the banded pearlite.

Polymeric materials have played a significant role in the adoption of a multi-materials approach towards the development of a safe and cost-effective solution for hydrogen fuel storage in Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs). Numerous studies exist with regards to the exposure of polymeric materials to gaseous hydrogen as applicable to the hydrogen infrastructure and related compression, storage, delivery, and dispensing operations of hydrogen at fueling stations. However, the behavior of these soft materials under high pressure hydrogen environments has not been well understood. This study involves exposure of select thermoplastic and elastomeric polymers to high pressure hydrogen (70-100 MPa) under static, isothermal, and isobaric conditions followed by characterization of physical properties and mechanical performance. Special attempt has been made to explain hydrogen effects on polymer properties in terms of polymer structure-property relationships, and also understand the influential role played by additives such as fillers, plasticizers, and processing AIDS in polymers exposed to hydrogen. Efforts have also been focused on deriving suitable conditions of static testing in high pressure hydrogen environments as a valuable part of developing a suitable test methodology for such systems. Understanding the relationships between polymer composition and microstructure, time of exposure, rate of depressurization, purge and exposure conditions, etc. in this simple study will help better define the test parameters for upcoming high pressure cycling experiments in hydrogen.

The degradation of stress-controlled fatigue-life (stress-life) of notched specimens was measured in the presence of internal and in external hydrogen for two strain-hardened austenitic stainless steels: 316L and 21Cr-6Ni-9Mn. To assess the sensitivity of fatigue performance to various hydrogen conditions fatigue tests were performed in four environments: (1) in air with no added hydrogen, (2) in air after hydrogen pre-charging to saturate the steel with internal hydrogen, and in external gaseous hydrogen at pressure of (3)10 MPa (1.45 ksi), or (4) 103 MPa (15 ksi). The fatigue performance of the strain-hardened 316L and 21Cr-6Ni-9Mn steels in air was indistinguishable for the tested conditions. Decreases in the fatigue-life at a given stress level were measured in the presence of hydrogen and depended on the hydrogen environment. Testing in 103 MPa (15 ksi) external gaseous hydrogen always resulted in a clear decrease in the fatigue-life at a given maximum stress. Alloy dependent reductions in the observed life at a given maximum stress were observed in the presence of internal hydrogen or in gaseous hydrogen at a pressure of 10 MPa (1.45 ksi). The measured fatigue-life of hydrogen pre-charged specimens was comparable to the life with no intentional hydrogen additions. Accounting for the increased flow stress resulting from the supersaturation of hydrogen after pre-charging results in consistency between the measured fatigue-life of the pre-charged condition and measurements in 103 MPa (15 ksi) external hydrogen. The current results indicate that internal hydrogen may be an efficient method to infer hydrogen-assisted fatigue degradation of stainless steels in high-pressure gaseous hydrogen.

This project was intended to enable SNL-CA to produce appropriate specimens of relevant stainless steels for testing and perform baseline testing of weld heat-affected zone and weld fusion zone. One of the key deliverables in this project was to establish a procedure for fracture testing stainless steel weld fusion zone and heat affected zones that were pre-charged with hydrogen. Following the establishment of the procedure, a round robin was planned between SNL-CA and SRNL to ensure testing consistency between laboratories. SNL-CA and SRNL would then develop a comprehensive test plan, which would include tritium exposures of several years at SRNL on samples delivered by SNL-CA. Testing would follow the procedures developed at SNL-CA. SRNL will also purchase tritium charging vessels to perform the tritium exposures. Although comprehensive understanding of isotope-induced fracture in GTS reservoir materials is a several year effort, the FY15 work would enabled us to jump-start the tests and initiate long-term tritium exposures to aid comprehensive future investigations. Development of a procedure and laboratory testing consistency between SNL-CA and SNRL ensures reliability in results as future evaluations are performed on aluminum alloys and potentially additively-manufactured components.

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This project addresses the following technical barriers from the Safety, Codes and Standards section of the 2012 Fuel Cell Technologies Office Multi-Year Research, Development and Demonstration Plan (section 3.8): (A) Safety data and information: limited access and availability (F) Enabling national and international markets requires consistent RCS (G) Insufficient technical data to revise standards.

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