Session: Gaseous Hydrogen Embrittlement (Part I of II)
Impact of H₂S Contamination and Moisture on the Fracture Toughness of Carbon Steel under Hydrogen (C2026-00065)
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Central
Location: 381 AB
Earn .5 PDH
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Christophe Mendibide, Laura Moli-Sanchez, Gaurav Joshi, Emmanuelle TRELA-BAUDOT
To address annual fluctuations in energy demand, natural gas can be stored underground in aquifers or salt caverns. In the future these infractrucutures can be used to store hydrogen. When aquifers are used, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) may be generated due to subsurface bacterial activity, and moisture (H₂O) can be present in the stored gas. It is therefore essential to consider the impact of these impurities when assessing the risks that hydrogen storage poses to infrastructure integrity. One of the key parameters to evaluate before selecting a metallic material for use in hydrogen environments is its fracture toughness, which is commonly assessed using ASTM E1820. Hydrogen permeation techniques can also be employed to evaluate the severity of the environment and the influence of impurities on hydrogen uptake. Based on data from an ongoing joint industry project, this paper provides insights from both techniques into how various contaminants affect the fracture toughness and hydrogen uptake of carbon steels when exposed to impure gaseous hydrogen, offering valuable guidance for end users during the material selection process. Mainly, it is observed that the impurities can either positively or negatively impact the behavior of carbon steels under gaseous hydrogen.
