Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel

Abstract The usage of high-strength materials in hydrogen-containing atmospheres is a particular challenge. High-strength copper alloys, which have not been extensively studied, may offer significant potential. In this study, the hydrogen solubility, diffusivity, and embrittlement of two high-streng...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: David Kniep, Mario Rudolphi, Klaus Ohla, Andreas Frehn, Mathias Christian Galetz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:npj Materials Degradation
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00608-4
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract The usage of high-strength materials in hydrogen-containing atmospheres is a particular challenge. High-strength copper alloys, which have not been extensively studied, may offer significant potential. In this study, the hydrogen solubility, diffusivity, and embrittlement of two high-strength copper-based alloys, Alloy 25 HT and PerforMet AT, are investigated compared to austenitic stainless steel 316 L. Across all charging conditions, the steel 316 L absorbed multiple orders of magnitude more hydrogen than the copper alloys. Permeation tests reveal effective diffusion coefficients of 1.7 × 10− 13 m²/s for Alloy 25 HT and 3.0 × 10−14 m²/s for PerforMet AT at 60 °C, respectively. Results of charged tensile specimens in slow strain rate tests indicated a negligible reduction of strain for Alloy 25 HT and a minor reduction to 83.5% of the strain of the uncharged PerforMet AT, suggesting a low susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement under these tested conditions.
ISSN:2397-2106