Abstract
The key to a successful transition into clean energy carriers such as hydrogen requires the construction of safe transportation pipelines made of alloys which are not susceptible to hydrogen assisted cracking. Duplex Stainless Steels (DSS) are considered as a proper class for components because of their many distinctive qualities. As this consideration depends strongly on the susceptibility level to Hydrogen Assisted Cracking (HAC), the DSS class has been broadly investigated under electrochemical charging conditions. In this work, the interplay between several factors controlling the level of HAC, was examined using light microscopy, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen pre-charging, Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), tensile testing, fractography and hydrogen concentration measurements using Carrier Gas Hot Extraction (CGHE). The effect of gaseous hydrogen on the mechanical properties with the role of hydrogen induced phase transformation have been investigated both in unused material and in high pressure pipeline section. In contrary to the common electrochemical charging described broadly in the literature, no significant martensitic phase transformation of the austenitic phase was observed. On the other hand, the influence of hydrogen on parameters such as elongation at fracture and reduction of area was noticeable. It is concluded based on the performance of DSS in gaseous hydrogen, that this material has a better potential for utilization in hydrogen applications. As for future experiments, the intention is to analyse the impact of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen on the welded components of this grade, and under mechanical load using the hollow specimen technique.