The Effects of High Pressure, High Temperature Hydrogen on Steel

Book excerpt: This report deals with the deleterious effects of hydrogen gas on steel at elevated temperatures and/or pressures. Hydrogen attack on steels is manifest as decarburization, intergranular fissuring, or blistering. These conditions result in lowered tensile strength, ductility, and impact strength. The reaction of hydrogen with iron carbide to form methane is probably the most important chemical reaction involved in the attack on steel by hydrogen. Attack of steel at elevated temperatures and pressures is limited or prevented by the following measures: (1) use of steel alloyed with strong carbide-forming elements, (2) use of liners of resistant alloy steels, and (3) substitution of resistant nonferrous alloys.