Effect of Hydrogen Pre-charging Time on Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility in High Pressure Hydrogen Environment for Two Seamless Steel Pipe Steels with Different Microstructures

doi:10.11902/1005.4537.2025.179

Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection

2026, Vol. 46

Issue (3): 787-797 DOI: 10.11902/1005.4537.2025.179

Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search

Effect of Hydrogen Pre-charging Time on Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility in High Pressure Hydrogen Environment for Two Seamless Steel Pipe Steels with Different Microstructures

XU Yunfeng¹, CHENG Kaiyuan¹, HUANG Feng¹(

), YANG Baoqi², CHENG Xianglong², ZAN Qifei², PENG Zhixian¹, LIU Jing¹

^1.Hubei Engineering Technology Research Centre of Marine Materials and Service Safety, Faculty of Materials, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
^2.Heng Steel Valin Steel Pipe Co. Ltd., Hengyang 421001, China

Cite this article:

XU Yunfeng, CHENG Kaiyuan, HUANG Feng, YANG Baoqi, CHENG Xianglong, ZAN Qifei, PENG Zhixian, LIU Jing. Effect of Hydrogen Pre-charging Time on Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility in High Pressure Hydrogen Environment for Two Seamless Steel Pipe Steels with Different Microstructures. Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection, 2026, 46(3): 787-797.

Download:

HTML

PDF(29981KB)
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)

Abstract

The effect of pre-charging hydrogen time (1, 6, 12 and 24 h) on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of two seamless pipe steels X42QS and X65QS with different microstructures in a 10 MPa high-pressure hydrogen environment was studied by means of slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) testing and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The results indicated that the pre-charging hydrogen time significantly affected the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility and the corresponding fracture mechanism, while the influence extent and mechanism varied depending on the difference in microstructure. The pearlite/ferrite microstructure of X42QS steel is non uniform while contains a large number of inclusions. Its hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility increased rapidly with the increasing pre-charging hydrogen time, reaching 13.70% at 12 h, and then gradually slows down. The hydrogen embrittlement mechanism was dominated by hydrogen-enhanced local plasticity (HELP) for the short-term, transitioning to hydrogen-enhanced decohesion (HEDE) synergistic effect for the long-term; The hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of X65QS steel with bainite/acicular ferrite microstructure increased gradually as the pre-charging hydrogen time increases, it only rose to 7.0% at 24 h. The mechanism of HELP dominated throughout the entire process, and the fracture always presented a ductile fracture morphology. Considering all the factors, the pre-charging hydrogen time may preferably be 12 h for detecting the influence of hydrogen on the mechanical property of steels.

Key words: seamless steel pipes pre-charging hydrogen hydrogen embrittlement hydrogen-enhanced local plasticity hydrogen-enhanced decohesion

Received: 12 June 2025 32134.14.1005.4537.2025.179

ZTFLH:

TG174

Fund: National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A20113);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52231003);Central Government Guided Special Project of Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Development Local Science and Technology Development Special Project of Hubei Province(2023CGB004)

Corresponding Authors: HUANG Feng, E-mail: huangfeng@wust.edu.cn

	Service

	E-mail this article
	Add to citation manager
	E-mail Alert
	RSS
	（）
	Articles by authors
	XU Yunfeng
	CHENG Kaiyuan
	HUANG Feng
	YANG Baoqi
	CHENG Xianglong
	ZAN Qifei
	PENG Zhixian
	LIU Jing

URL:

https://www.jcscp.org/EN/10.11902/1005.4537.2025.179 OR https://www.jcscp.org/EN/Y2026/V46/I3/787

Table 1 Chemical composition of experimental steel (mass fraction / %)

Fig.1 sample locations for metallography and tensile test

Fig.2 Drawing of tensile test sample (unit: mm)

Fig.3 FE-SEM microstructure images of X42QS (a) and X65QS (b) steel

Fig.4 Morphologies and elemental mapping of inclusions of X42QS (a, b) and X65QS (c, d) steel

Fig.5 Quantitative statistics of inclusions in X42QS (a) and X65QS (b) steel

Fig.6 Stress-strain curves of X42QS (a) and X65QS (b) steel vs. hydrogen pre-charging times

Fig.7 Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of two steels vs. hydrogen pre-charging times

Fig.8 Tensile strength of two steels after hydrogen pre-charging for different times

Fig.9 Fracture morphologies of X42QS steel after hydrogen pre-charging for 0 h (a), 1 h (b), 6 h (c), 12 h (d) and 24 h (e)

Fig.10 Fracture morphologies of X65QS steel after hydrogen pre-charging for 0 h (a), 1 h (b), 6 h (c), 12 h (d) and 24 h (e)

Fig.11 SEM images (a1, b1), IPF maps (a2, b2) and KAM maps (a3, b3) of the X42QS (a1-a3) and X65 (b1-b3) steels after 24 h of pre-charging hydrogen at 10 MPa pressure

[1]	Qian K, Pei K F, Ling P W, et al. Research progress of hydrogen damage of hydrogen pipelines [J]. Shandong Chem. Ind., 2024, 53(24): 55
	潜坤, 裴科飞, 凌沛文等. 输氢管道的氢脆机理研究进展 [J]. 山东化工, 2024, 53(24): 55
[2]	Wang G, Zheng J Y, Jiang L J, et al. The development of hydrogen energy in China [J]. Sci. Technol. Rev., 2017, 35(22): 105 doi: 10.3981/j.issn.1000-7857.2017.22.014
	王赓, 郑津洋, 蒋利军等. 中国氢能发展的思考 [J]. 科技导报, 2017, 35(22): 105
[3]	Commission European. A hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe [R]. Brussel: European Union, 2020
[4]	Office of Fossil Energy. Hydrogen strategy enabling a low-carbon economy [R]. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Energy, 2020
[5]	Natural Resources Canada. Hydrogen strategy for Canada: Seizing the opportunities for hydrogen: A call to action [R]. Ottawa: Natural Resources Canada, 2020: 40
[6]	Government of Alberta. Alberta hydrogen roadmap [R]. Edmonton: Government of Alberta, 2021: 21
[7]	Jia X F. Hydrogen embrittlement behavior of mixed hydrogen natural gas pipeline steel: A review [J]. Corros. Prot., 2024, 45(10): 88
	贾雪峰. 掺氢天然气输送管线钢氢脆行为的研究进展 [J]. 腐蚀与防护, 2024, 45(10): 88
[8]	Zhu Z, Liao Q, Qiu R, et al. Technical and economic analysis on long-distance hydrogen pipeline transportation [J]. Pet. Sci. Bull., 2023, 8: 112
	朱珠, 廖绮, 邱睿等. 长距离氢气管道运输的技术经济分析 [J]. 石油科学通报, 2023, 8: 112
[9]	Zhao J, Xu G X, Zhang H W, et al. Coupling effect of hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion of X80 pipeline steel in hydrogen-doped natural gas [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2025, 45: 407
	赵杰, 徐广旭, 张烘玮等. X80掺氢天然气管道的氢脆与腐蚀耦合作用研究 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45: 407
[10]	Li X, Wei B X, Lu Y H, et al. Research progress on hydrogen damage mechanism of pipeline steel in contact with hydrogen environment [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2024, 44: 1125
	李鑫, 韦博鑫, 鲁仰辉等. 临氢环境下管线钢氢损伤机理研究进展 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2024, 44: 1125
[11]	Cheng Y F. Essence and gap analysis for hydrogen embrittlement of pipelines in high-pressure hydrogen environments [J]. Oil Gas Storage Transp., 2023, 42: 1
	程玉峰. 高压氢气管道氢脆问题明晰 [J]. 油气储运, 2023, 42: 1
[12]	Chen K, Du Y F, Xu H Y, et al. Hydrogen permeation and hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of X80 pipeline steel [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2025, 45: 388
	陈锴, 杜一帆, 徐浩昀等. X80管线钢氢渗透行为及氢脆敏感性研究 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45: 388
[13]	Meng B, Gu C H, Zhang L, et al. Hydrogen effects on X80 pipeline steel in high-pressure natural gas/hydrogen mixtures [J]. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42: 7404 doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.05.145
[14]	Liu T L, Wei B X, Fu A Q, et al. Hydrogen damage of X80 pipeline steel in hydrogen-doped gaseous atmosphere [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2025, 45: 423
	刘天乐, 韦博鑫, 付安庆等. 掺氢环境下X80管线钢气相氢损伤研究 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45: 423 doi: 10.11902/1005.4537.2024.299
[15]	Moro I, Briottet L, Lemoine P, et al. Hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of a high strength steel X80 [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2010, 527A: 7252
[16]	Nanninga N E, Levy Y S, Drexler E S, et al. Comparison of hydrogen embrittlement in three pipeline steels in high pressure gaseous hydrogen environments [J]. Corros. Sci., 2012, 59: 1 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2012.01.028
[17]	Zhang T M, Zhao W M, Li T T, et al. Comparison of hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of three cathodic protected subsea pipeline steels from a point of view of hydrogen permeation [J]. Corros. Sci., 2018, 131: 104 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2017.11.013
[18]	Depraetere R, De Waele W, Cauwels M, et al. Influence of stress triaxiality on hydrogen assisted ductile damage in an X70 pipeline steel [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2023, 864A: 144549
[19]	Sun Y H, Cheng Y F. Thermodynamics of spontaneous dissociation and dissociative adsorption of hydrogen molecules and hydrogen atom adsorption and absorption on steel under pipelining conditions [J]. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2021, 46: 34469 doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.07.217
[20]	Zhang H Y, Zheng L W, Liang W. Effect of annealing process on microstructure evolution and hydrogen embrittlement behavior of 304 austenitic stainless steel [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2025, 45: 438
	张慧云, 郑留伟, 梁伟. 退火工艺对304奥氏体不锈钢的组织演变及氢脆行为的影响 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45: 438 doi: 10.11902/1005.4537.2024.078
[21]	Zhang C J, Cai K K, Yuan W X. Study on sulfide inclusions and effect of calcium treatment for pipeline steel [J]. Iron Steel, 2006, 41(8): 31 doi: 10.1179/1743281212Y.0000000098
	张彩军, 蔡开科, 袁伟霞. 管线钢硫化物夹杂及钙处理效果研究 [J]. 钢铁, 2006, 41(8): 31
[22]	Lang F J, Huang F, Yue J B, et al. Hydrogen trapping and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of X70 grade high-strength, acid-resistant, submarine pipeline steel with Mg treatment [J]. J. Mater. Res. Technol., 2023, 24: 623 doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.03.011
[23]	Nguyen T T, Heo H M, Park J, et al. Damage assessment and mechanical performance of Cr-Mo steel used in hydrogen storage vessels [J]. Eng. Fail. Anal., 2021, 120: 105031 doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2020.105031
[24]	Sun Y H, Frank Cheng Y. Hydrogen-induced degradation of high-strength steel pipeline welds: A critical review [J]. Eng. Fail. Anal., 2022, 133: 105985 doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105985
[25]	Djukic M B, Bakic G M, Sijacki Zeravcic V, et al. The synergistic action and interplay of hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms in steels and iron: Localized plasticity and decohesion [J]. Eng. Fract. Mech., 2019, 216: 106528 doi: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2019.106528
[26]	Cheng K Y, Peng Y, Huang F, et al. Adaptability of typical seamless tube steels to hydrogen-blended natural gas environments and hydrogen-induced damage mechanism [J]. J. Chin. Soc. Corros. Prot., 2025, 45: 397
	程凯源, 彭杨, 黄峰等. 典型无缝钢管钢掺氢天然气环境适应性及氢致损伤机理 [J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45: 397 doi: 10.11902/1005.4537.2024.219
[27]	Martin M L, Dadfarnia M, Nagao A, et al. Enumeration of the hydrogen-enhanced localized plasticity mechanism for hydrogen embrittlement in structural materials [J]. Acta Mater., 2019, 165: 734 doi: 10.1016/j.actamat.2018.12.014
[28]	Liu C W, Yang H C, Wang C L, et al. Effects of CH₄ and CO on hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of X80 pipeline steel in hydrogen blended natural gas [J]. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2023, 48: 27766 doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.03.443
[29]	Wasim M, Djukic M B, Ngo T D. Influence of hydrogen enhanced plasticity and decohesion mechanisms of hydrogen embrittlement on the fracture resistance of steel [J]. Eng. Fail. Anal., 2021, 123: 105312 doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105312
[30]	Zhao Y K, Seok M Y, Choi I C, et al. The role of hydrogen in hardening/softening steel: Influence of the charging process [J]. Scripta Mater., 2015, 107: 46 doi: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2015.05.017
[31]	Hardie D, Charles E A, Lopez A H. Hydrogen embrittlement of high strength pipeline steels [J]. Corros. Sci., 2006, 48: 4378 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2006.02.011
[32]	Zhang Y W, Gu C H, Li Y H, et al. Effects of hydrogen in synthetic natural gas on mechanical properties of X80 steel spiral welded pipe [J]. Pressure Vessel Technol., 2020, 37(3): 1
	张一苇, 顾超华, 李炎华等. 煤制天然气中氢对X80钢螺旋焊管力学性能的影响 [J]. 压力容器, 2020, 37(3): 1
[33]	Wu X, Teng M J, Jia W L, et al. Study on the mechanical properties of X80 pipeline steel under pre-charged high-pressure gaseous hydrogen [J]. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2024, 84: 39 doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.08.219
[34]	Wang R. Effects of hydrogen on the fracture toughness of a X70 pipeline steel [J]. Corros. Sci., 2009, 51: 2803 doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2009.07.013

[1]	XIANG Qifeng, ZHAO Yang, ZHANG Tao, WANG Fuhui. Influence of Cathodic Polarization on Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility of 10CrNi5MoV Steel in Simulated Shallow-sea and Deep-sea Environment[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(6): 1599-1609.
[2]	ZHU Tao, SUN Haoxiang, ZHOU Yahong, ZHAO Yuhang, WANG Yanfei. Effect of Hydrogen Diffusion Model on Hydrogen Concentration Calculation Around a Crack Tip in Hydrogen-exposed Structures[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(4): 1070-1080.
[3]	WANG Mingyang, XIA Da-Hai. Research Progress on Hydrogen Embrittlement Mechanism of High Strength Al-alloy[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 261-270.
[4]	ZHANG Qianru, SUN Qingqing. Hydrogen Enhanced Localized Plasticity: A Critical Review[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 271-282.
[5]	CUI Bolun, ZHAO Jie, LV Ran, LI Jingfa, YU Bo, YAN Donglei. Research Progress in Composite Protection Technology Against Hydrogen-embrittlement and -corrosion for Hydrogen-blended Natural Gas Pipeline[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 327-337.
[6]	WAN Hongjiang, MING Hongliang, WANG Jianqiu, HAN En-Hou. Effect of Small Amount of O₂ and CO on Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility of X52 Pipeline Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 371-380.
[7]	CHEN Kai, DU Yifan, XU Haoyun, LV Liang, DANG Guiming, WANG Yujin, ZHENG Shuqi. Hydrogen Permeation and Hydrogen Embrittlement Sensitivity of X80 Pipeline Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 388-396.
[8]	CHENG Kaiyuan, PENG Yang, HUANG Feng, CHENG Xianglong, XU Yunfeng, PENG Zhixian, LIU Jing. Adaptability of Typical Seamless Tube Steels to Hydrogen-blended Natural Gas Environments and Hydrogen- induced Damage Mechanism[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 397-406.
[9]	LI Xincheng, LI Zhaonan, WANG Haifeng, XU Yunze, WANG Mingyu, ZHEN Xingwei. Hydrogen Embrittlement Sensitivity for Welded Structural Parts of DH36 Marine Engineering Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 416-422.
[10]	LIU Tianle, WEI Boxin, FU Anqing, SU Hang, CHEN Tingshu, WANG Chaoming, WANG Sui. Hydrogen Damage of X80 Pipeline Steel in Hydrogen-doped Gaseous Atmosphere[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 423-430.
[11]	ZHANG Huiyun, ZHENG Liuwei, LIANG Wei. Effect of Annealing Process on Microstructure Evolution and Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior of 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2025, 45(2): 438-448.
[12]	LI Xin, WEI Boxin, LU Yanghui, SUN Chen, YU Wentao, XU Meng, LIU Wei. Research Progress on Hydrogen Damage Mechanism of Pipeline Steel in Contact with Hydrogen Environment[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2024, 44(5): 1125-1133.
[13]	XU Yunfeng, WANG Shaofeng, HE Long, LIU Dong, HUANG Feng, LIU Jing. Effect of Eco Pickled Surface Treatment on Hydrogen Embrittlement Sensitivity of QStE700TM Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2024, 44(3): 691-699.
[14]	WANG Yanfei, LI Yaozhou, HUANG Yuting, XIE Honglin, WU Weijie. Effect of Grain Size on Hydrogen Embrittlement of 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2023, 43(3): 494-506.
[15]	WANG Zhen, LIU Jing, ZHANG Shiqi, HUANG Feng. Effect of Strain Rate on Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility of DP780 Steel with Hydrogen Pre-charging[J]. 中国腐蚀与防护学报, 2022, 42(1): 106-112.

No Suggested Reading articles found!

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed