Application of micropolar theory to the description of the skin effect due to hydrogen saturation

A model is proposed for the description of a highly inhomogeneous distribution of hydrogen within a saturated metal specimen (the so-called skin effect due to hydrogen saturation). The model is based on the micropolar continuum approach and results in a nonuniform stress–strain state of a cylindrical metal specimen due to distributed couples or microrotations. The dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the strain energy is considered in order to model stress-induced diffusion. Accumulation of hydrogen within a thin boundary layer results in a highly nonuniform distribution of hydrogen across the specimen. The mutual influence of the stress–strain state and hydrogen accumulation is taken into account. The estimated thickness of the surface layer containing hydrogen is comparable to the thickness observed in experiments. The predicted average concentration coincides with experimental data.

Source for In Situ Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy of Thermal—And Hydrogen-Induced Defects Based on the Cu-64 Isotope

This work aims to investigate the 64Cu isotope applicability for positron annihilation experiments in in situ mode. We determined appropriate characteristics of this isotope for defect studies and implemented them under aggressive conditions (i.e., elevated temperature, hydrogen environment) in situ to determine the sensitivity of this approach to thermal vacancies and hydrogen-induced defects investigation. Titanium samples were used as test materials. The source was obtained by the activation of copper foil in the thermal neutron flux of a research nuclear reactor. Main spectrometric characteristics (e.g., the total number of counts, fraction of good signals, peak-to-noise ratio) of this source, as well as line-shaped parameters of the Doppler broadening spectrum (DBS), were studied experimentally. These characteristics for 64Cu (in contrast to positron sources with longer half-life) were shown to vary strongly with time, owing to the rapidly changing activity. These changes are predictable and should be considered in the analysis of experimental data to reveal information about the defect structure. The investigation of samples with a controlled density of defects revealed the suitability of 64Cu positron source with an activity of 2–40 MBq for defects studies by DBS. However, greater isotope activity could also be applied. The results of testing this source at high temperatures and in hydrogen atmosphere showed its suitability to thermal vacancies and hydrogen-induced defects studies in situ. The greatest changes in the defect structure of titanium alloy during high-temperature hydrogen saturation occurred at the cooling stage, when the formation of hydrides began, and were associated with an increase in the dislocation density.

PROPERTIES OF TUBES FROM Zr-1% Nb ALLOY AFTER THERMOCHEMICAL TREATMENT AND HYDROGENATION

The influence of treatment in controlled gas environments with subsequent hydrogenation on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the Zr-1% Nb zirconium alloy has been investigated. The surface hardness and the size of the diffusion-hardened layer of the ring-samples cut from fuel tubes from the Zr-1% Nb alloy after treatment in oxygen- and nitrogen-containing gaseous media with subsequent saturation with hydrogen have been established. The influence of the parameters of the gaseous medium and the modes of thermochemical treatment (TCT) of specimens-rings on the destructive stresses under static load at temperatures of 20 and 380 °C is shown. It was revealed that treatment in the investigated gas environment increases the resistance to hydrogen saturation and has a positive effect on the long-term strength of ring specimens from the zirconium alloy Zr-1% Nb.

Features of Hydrogen Reduction of Fe(CN)63− Ions in Aqueous Solutions: Effect of Hydrogen Dissolved in Palladium Nanoparticles

Preliminary saturation of 2.6 nm palladium nanoparticles with hydrogen accelerates the reduction of Fe(CN)63− ions in aqueous solution three to four-fold. An analytical equation was derived describing the hydrogen saturation of palladium nanoparticles and the dependence of their catalytic activity on the hydrogen content in the metal. The specific rate constants of reduction do not depend on the content of palladium nanoparticles in the solution. A change in the temperature and pH or stirring of the solution do not affect the rate of catalytic reaction. Approaches to optimization of palladium-catalyzed reactions involving hydrogen are substantiated.

Estimation of the Influence of Compressed Hydrogen on the Mechanical Properties of Pipeline Steels

Consideration of the possibility of transporting compressed hydrogen through existing gas pipelines leads to the need to study the regularities of the effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of steels in relation to the conditions of their operation in pipelines (operating pressure range, stress state of the pipe metal, etc.). This article provides an overview of the types of influence of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of steels, including those used for the manufacture of pipelines. The effect of elastic and plastic deformations on the intensity of hydrogen saturation of steels and changes in their strength and plastic deformations is analyzed. An assessment of the potential losses of transported hydrogen through the pipeline wall as a result of diffusion has been made. The main issues that need to be solved for the development of a scientifically grounded conclusion on the possibility of using existing gas pipelines for the transportation of compressed hydrogen are outlined.

Influence of hydrogen saturation on the structure and mechanical properties of Fe-17Cr-13Ni-3Mo-0.01C austenitic steel during rolling at different temperatures

Introduction. The development of hydrogen energy implies a decrease in the dependence of various human activities on fossil energy sources and a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere. Therefore, the requirements for the quality of structural materials, which have the prospect of being used for storage and transportation of hydrogen, as well as for the creation of infrastructure facilities for hydrogen energy, are increasing. Therefore, the scientific researches on the hydrogen-assisted microstructure and mechanical behavior of structural materials in various loading schemes are of great importance. The aim of this work is to establish the effect of chemical-deformation treatment, including rolling combined with hydrogen saturation, on the microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of 316L-type austenitic stainless steel. Methods. Transmission electron microscopy and backscattered electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, X-ray phase and magnetic phase analysis, microindentation and uniaxial static tension are utilized. Results and Discussion. It is shown experimentally that after rolling with 25 and 50 % upset, the morphology of the defect structure and the phase composition of 316L steel substantially depends on the deformation temperature (at room temperature or with the cooling of the samples in the liquid nitrogen) and on hydrogen saturation rate (for 5 hours at a current density of 200 mA/cm2). The main deformation mechanisms of the steel in rolling are slip, twinning, and microlocalization of plastic flow, which all provide the formation of ultrafine grain-subgrain structure in the samples. In addition, deformation-induced ε and α' martensitic phases are formed in the structure of the rolled samples. Regardless of the regime of chemical-deformation processing, grain-subgrain structures with a high density of deformation defects are formed in steel, but its morphologies are dependent on the processing regime. The experimental data indicate that both preliminary hydrogen saturation and a decrease in the deformation temperature contribute to the more active development of mechanical twinning and deformation-induced phase transformations during rolling. Despite the discovered effects on the influence of hydrogen saturation on the deformation mechanisms and the morphology of a defective microstructure formed during rolling, preliminary hydrogenation has little effect on the mechanical properties of steel at a fixed degree and temperature of deformation. These data indicate that irrespective of the morphology of the defective grain-subgrain structure, grain refinement, accumulation of deformation defects and an increase in internal stresses lead to an increase in the strength characteristics of the steel.

Criteria of Material Failure in Relation to Hydrogen Saturation

A steadily rising interest which specialists in various fields show towards the problem of hydrogen affecting metallic materials and causing their failure is connected to all-increasing requirements set on the durability of machines and equipment in operation. Metallic structures are most often surrounded by such environment which contains hydrogenous components or hydrogen itself (in chemical industry, power engineering, etc). And it leads to various types of degradation in metals (hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen corrosion, and so on), which, in its turn, could cause catastrophic results. Ultimate strength is considered to be a representative parameter of the process of hydrogen degradation in steels. The authors cite the results of testing conducted on hydrogen-saturated specimens made of A516-55 steel which register a significant decrease in the ultimate strength. It is proposed to use a diagram which describes a fall in metal strength and transition of structural materials into their brittle states following an increase in hydrogen concentration. Discussion is made on criteria for hydrogen-saturated materials of metallic structures failing when a momentary overload occurs under default working conditions.