Alloy Design of Nb-Based Hydrogen Permeable Membrane with Strong Resistance to Hydrogen Embrittlement

Abstract

The alloying effects of Ru and W on the hydrogen solubility, the resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen permeability are investigated quantitatively for Nb-based hydrogen permeable alloys. It is found that the hydrogen solubility decreases by the addition of alloying element into niobium or by increasing the temperature. As a result, the resistance to hydrogen embrittlement is improved by reducing the hydrogen concentration. On the other hand, the hydrogen flux, J, through the alloy membrane increases linearly with increasing difference of hydrogen concentration, ΔC, between both sides of the membrane. It is shown that the Nb-5 mol%X (X = Ru and W) alloys possess excellent hydrogen permeability without showing any hydrogen embrittlement when used under appropriate permeation conditions, i.e. temperature and hydrogen pressures. Also, the hydrogen diffusion coefficients during the practical hydrogen permeation at high temperature are evaluated from the linear relationship between the hydrogen flux and the hydrogen concentration difference. It is found that the hydrogen diffusion coefficient of pure Nb is much lower than the reported values measured for dilute hydrogen solid solutions. Surprisingly, the hydrogen diffusion is found to be faster in Pd-26 mol%Ag alloy with fcc crystal structure than in pure niobium with bcc structure at 773 K during the hydrogen permeation. It is also interesting that the addition of Ru or W into niobium enhances the hydrogen diffusion of the practical hydrogen permeation at high temperature.