Damage assessment and mechanical performance of Cr-Mo steel used in hydrogen storage vessels

Abstract

The proposed study investigates the potential damage in an actual hydrogen vessel and the mechanical performance of Cr-Mo steel used in high-pressure hydrogen vessels. The hydrogen vessel exhibited defects, such as small fissures and various types of inclusions, which may have a detrimental effect on its performance under hydrogen gas. The maximum tensile strength of the steel under high-pressure hydrogen met the design standard requirement (i.e., it did not exceed 915 MPa), and hydrogen had a significant effect on the strain at fracture and reduction in area. The occurrence of intergranular fracture was more pronounced in the specimens exposed to 99 MPa of hydrogen than those exposed to 10 MPa of hydrogen, resulting in a slightly higher embrittlement index.