A study of the uptake of hydrogen in pipeline steels using accelerated laboratory methodologies

The study investigates hydrogen uptake in two pipeline steels using accelerated laboratory methods. Thermal desorption mass spectrometry (TDMS) was used for diffusible hydrogen content and hydrogen trap analysis. The optimal electrolyte for electrochemical charging was found to be 1.0 N H2SO4 + 3% NH2SCN. TDMS confirmed hydrogen uptake, with the highest levels observed for the time between 36 and 48 hours of charging. The study of hydrogen permeability compared the steels’ susceptibility to hydrogen uptake, with the steel A showing a greater capacity for hydrogen uptake than steel B.