Low-temperature tensile and impact properties of hydrogen-charged high-manganese steel

Abstract

Low-temperature mechanical properties of a high-manganese austenitic steel were evaluated with and without hydrogen pre-charging to examine the applicability of the alloy as a material for hydrogen infrastructure. The high-manganese steel, along with the conventional 304 and 316 L austenitic steels, was examined for hydrogen-related properties including hydrogen content after gas-phase pre-charging, tensile properties, and Charpy impact toughness at different temperatures ranging from room temperature to −80 and −196 °C, respectively, and the resultant fracture surfaces. Under hydrogen-charged conditions, the high-manganese steel showed low-temperature mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional austenitic steels, suggesting the potential of the alloy for structural applications in hydrogen environment.