What harm does hydrogen cause to carbon steel? What materials should be used if hydrogen is present?
Carbon in steel combines with hydrogen to form methane and other products under high pressure and temperature (above 200 degrees C or 390 degrees F). This first results in decarburization followed by localized fissuring of the vessel due to high gaseous pressure, leading to the failure of the vessel.
Chromium- and molybdenum-containing steels are best suited for use with hydrogen. They resist decarburization, fissuring, and the associated loss of strength.
