Required Soaking Time

for Hydrogen Testing

Jesse Rhodes, EWI

As the need and demand for clean energy intensifies, Technical Detail
there is a push for hydrogen to be transported through
legacy oil and gas pipelines or new pipeline builds. Bolt-loaded CT specimens were machined out of a legacy
Currently, there is limited test data on the impact of these steel pipe. Customized samples were made with reference
activities on the mechanical properties (fatigue, fracture to ASTM E1681 (Standard Test Method for Determining
toughness, crack growth rates, etc.) and life cycle of Threshold Stress Intensity Factor for Environment-
steel piping. Also, the wide range of steel grades, weld Assisted Cracking of Metallic Materials). The pre-cracked
methods, quality of manufacturing, etc. involved with oil CT samples were bolt-loaded to the final crack mouth
and gas pipelines can influence the degree of impact, and opening displacement (CMOD) value to match the stress
therefore require a large database of test results. While intensity observed on the sample during pre-cracking
conducting these test programs, it is critical to establish (see Figure 1).
an acceptable H2 soak time that efficiently achieves near
The samples were exposed to 100% research-grade H2
steady state conditions with respect to properties of
at 1,800 psig and room temperature for soaking times
evolution.
including 1, 3.5, 7, 21, and 42 days. Four specimens were
The limited data available on diffusion rates/soak times
when running tests in gaseous H2 (with only ASME B31.12
as conservative guidance) is concerning to H2 scientists,
engineers, and researchers. EWI developed a study to
understand the relationship between required soaking
time of legacy steel pipe, in the form of stressed compact
tension (CT) specimens with steady state mechanical
response. To corroborate observed effects, a correlation
with total hydrogen observed in a witness coupon was
Figure 1. Customized bolt-loaded CT. Left: pre-cracked and bolt
also analyzed.
loaded; right: post-H2 exposure and mechanical testing
exposed at each soak time. One was tested for total
H2 using gas chromatography (GC) and three were
mechanically tested to quantify the effect of H2 on
fracture toughness. Figure 2 shows the vessels used for
the H2 exposures and Figure 3 shows the CT specimens
placed in the vessel on a 3D-printed sample stand. At the
end of each exposure, the vessel was quickly vented and
opened. The bolts were immediately unloaded from the
CT specimens, and mechanical testing was completed
within 30 minutes after exposure to air following retrieval
from the vessel. Also, the specimen to be GC tested was
canned within this 30-minute period. This procedure was
expedited to limit the diffusion of H2 from the samples
after removal from the vessel. Figure 3. Bolt-loaded CT specimens in vessel

diffusible hydrogen testing (per AWS A4.3 and ISO 3690

using the gas chromatograph method) was utilized for
total hydrogen content in the witness samples.

This methodology has yielded information that will

be implemented in EWI’s dedicated hydrogen testing
laboratory to improve confidence of results and increase
testing throughput. To learn more about EWI’s work in
this area, contact Jesse Rhodes at jrhodes@ewi.org.

Figure 2. Vessels used for soaking time exposures
For the mechanical testing method, ASTM E1820
(Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fracture
Toughness) was used as a reference. Load (lbs.),
displacement (mm), and clip gage extension (mm) were
recorded during testing. An augmented procedure for
The author would like to acknowledge EWI associates Rich Minshall, Nate
Hudepohl, Steve O’Mara, Matt Schluneker, and Josh James for their
assistance with this investigation.
References to specific equipment and/or materials are for informational
purposes only. Any reference made to a specific product does not
constitute or imply an endorsement by EWI of the product or its producer
or provider.

Jesse Rhodes, is an Applications Engineer in the structural integrity group at EWI. He provides mechanical testing and fracture toughness analysis of
pipe used for onshore gas transmission, tests additively manufactured pipe with internal sensing capability, and develops H2 testing capabilities in the new
dedicated H2 laboratory.

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