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...

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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
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author David Kniep
Mario Rudolphi
Klaus Ohla
Andreas Frehn
Mathias Christian Galetz
author_facet David Kniep
Mario Rudolphi
Klaus Ohla
Andreas Frehn
Mathias Christian Galetz
author_sort David Kniep
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-d92bc51570aa406481ea3e1375c97c3c2025-08-20T03:48:18ZengNature Portfolionpj Materials Degradation2397-21062025-05-019111010.1038/s41529-025-00608-4Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steelDavid Kniep0Mario Rudolphi1Klaus Ohla2Andreas Frehn3Mathias Christian Galetz4DECHEMA-ForschungsinstitutDECHEMA-ForschungsinstitutRetired, formerly Materion Brush GmbHMaterion Brush GmbHDECHEMA-ForschungsinstitutAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00608-4
spellingShingle David Kniep
Mario Rudolphi
Klaus Ohla
Andreas Frehn
Mathias Christian Galetz
Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel
npj Materials Degradation
title Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel
title_full Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel
title_fullStr Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel
title_full_unstemmed Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel
title_short Hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and embrittlement of high-strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel
title_sort hydrogen diffusivity solubility and embrittlement of high strength copper alloys in comparison to stainless steel
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00608-4
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AT andreasfrehn hydrogendiffusivitysolubilityandembrittlementofhighstrengthcopperalloysincomparisontostainlesssteel
AT mathiaschristiangaletz hydrogendiffusivitysolubilityandembrittlementofhighstrengthcopperalloysincomparisontostainlesssteel