Review of Test Methods for Evaluating Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility of Materials

Abstract

For several decades, engineers and technicians responsible for safe transport and storage of hydrogen, in both the government and industry sectors, have had to contend with the problem of hydrogen embrittlement. Today, the problem of hydrogen embrittlement must be considered anew with the systems and environments emerging with the developing hydrogen fuel cell industry. This paper discusses several methods to test for the susceptibility of metallic materials to hydrogen embrittlement. The objective of this review is to assist engineers and designers in selecting hydrogen embrittlement test methods to simulate actual manufacturing and/or operating conditions while using appropriate specimen geometries. Reviewed are standard test methods from American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International, British Aerospace Series (BSEN), and General Motors Engineering sources. These include constant load, rising step load, slow strain rate, inclined wedge, bend, disk pressure, and cantilever beam test methods. Information is provided on load and displacement characteristics, uses, a brief description, and required equipment for each test.