Hydrogen embrittlement of X80 pipeline steel in H2S environment: Effect of hydrogen charging time, hydrogen-trapped state and hydrogen charging–releasing–recharging cycles

Abstract

This study investigated the susceptibility of X80 pipeline steel to hydrogen embrittlement given different hydrogen pre-charging times and hydrogen charging–releasing–recharging cycles in H2S environment. The fracture strain of the steel samples decreased with increasing hydrogen pre-charging time; this steel degradation could almost be recovered after diffusible hydrogen was removed when the hydrogen pre-charging time was <8 d. However, unrecoverable degeneration occurred when the hydrogen pre-charging time extended to 16–30 d. Moreover, nanovoid formation meant that the hydrogen damage to the steel under intermittent hydrogen pre-charging–releasing–recharging conditions was more serious than that under continuous hydrogen pre-charging conditions. This study illustrated that the mechanical degradation of steel is inevitable in an H2S environment even if diffusible hydrogen is removed or visible hydrogen-induced cracking is neglected. Furthermore, the steel samples showed premature fractures and exhibited a hydrogen fatigue effect because the repeated entry and release of diffusible hydrogen promoted the formation of vacancies that aggregated into nanovoids. Our results provide valuable information on the mechanical degradation of steel in an H2S environment, regarding the change rules of steel mechanical properties under different hydrogen pre-charging times and hydrogen charging–releasing–recharging cycles.