A study of hydrogen effect on properties of low-alloy steel 09G2S and stability of carbide phases

Abstract

The paper addresses the action of a high-temperature hydrogen-containing fluid on mechanical properties of a low-alloy carbon hypopearlitic steel 09G2S which is used for the manufacture of a gasoline-producing reactor vessel for a catalytic reformer unit. The vessel metal had 180,000 running hours at a hydrogen-containing fluid temperature 280°C and pressure 4.0 MPa. It is demonstrated that a long-term operation of the material in contact with gaseous hydrogen has caused its natural ageing. Further hydrogen saturation of test specimens at 580°C and 10 MPa for 17 h has resulted in a so-called hydrogen-induced strain hardening of the material. The influence of gaseous hydrogen on the state of carbide phases in the base metal and weld is studied by the x-ray spectrum analysis and nuclear gamma resonance method. The amount of a carbide phase (cementite) in steel has been found to grow due to natural ageing at elevated temperatures. The high-temperature hydrogen saturation makes the cementite decomposition process more intensive, and no cementite recovery occurs even when the material is heated up to 580°C.