Applications requiring the containment and transport of hydrogen gas at pressures greater than 70 MPa are anticipated in the evolving hydrogen economy infrastructure. Since hydrogen is known to alter the mechanical properties of materials, data are needed to guide the selection of materials for structural components. Type 316 austenitic stainless steels are often considered one of the best choices for resistance to hydrogen-assisted fracture; however, at sub-ambient temperatures some alloy compositions of type 316 stainless steel can become more susceptible to hydrogen-assisted fracture than others. In this study, we report the tensile properties of two heats of type 316 stainless steel, emphasizing the effects of temperature and high concentrations of internal hydrogen on these properties.
