Papers by Keyword: Hydrogen Diffusion

Abstract: The present paper offers a continuum modelling of trap-affected hydrogen diffusion in metals and alloys, accounting for different physical variables of both macroscopic nature (i.e., related to continuum mechanics, e.g., stress and strain) and microscopic characteristics (material microstructure, traps, etc.). To this end, the model of hydrogen diffusion assisted by the gradients of both hydrostatic stress and cumulative plastic strain, stress-and-strain assisted hydrogen diffusion, proposed and frequently used by the authors of the present paper (Toribio & Kharin) is analysed in addition to other well-known models such as those proposed by (i) McNabb & Foster, (ii) Oriani, (iii) Leblond & Dubois, (iv) Sofronis & McMeeking, (v) Krom and Bakker, showing their physical and mathematical differences and similarities to account for different physical variables.

Abstract: The Smart-Cut technology consists in the increasing of pressure imposed by the diffusion of hydrogen ions in the silicon substrate leading to a wafer splitting. In the present work, we studied the evolution of the stress field in the crystalline lattice of silicon, the diffusion of hydrogen ions as well as the growth and coalescence of cavities. Meanwhile, we test several models and simulate these phenomena by a numerical approach, in order to compare its results to experimental observations.

Abstract: Hydrogen diffusion in metals is still an ongoing topic of research due to its technical relevance (hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen storage...). In the last decades, significant progress in understanding the time evolution of the hydrogen concentration in solids was completed. This paper presents a modeling of hydrogen diffusion with a general and thermodynamically based diffusion concept coupled with mechanical and chemical aspects. This model was previously used to simulate the oxidation of a metal [1][2]. This concept has been upgraded to offer a thoroughly macroscopic behavior law used to simulate hydrogen diffusion in metal parts under mechanical loadings. The thermodynamic approach of the stress-diffusion coupling was implemented in a finite element code in order to study the hydrogen diffusion mode into a strained metal. Simulations were performed on a cylindrical austenitic steel tank under important internal pressure. The results of this study allow us to understand how hydrogen diffusion and mechanical stresses are mutually induced and modified.

Abstract: The role of the thermodynamic factor in determining the magnitude of Ficks diffusion constant, DH, for H in metals and alloys is discussed using mainly Pd and its fcc alloys as examples because data are available for some of these systems over a wide range of H contents. Procedures are given for obtaining DH*, the concentration-independent diffusion constant, from DH under permeation conditions where the H concentration varies through the membrane; which is the common situation for H₂ purification membranes where p_upstream >> p_downstream. The role of the thermodynamic factor in H diffusion through multi-layer membranes will also be discussed.

Abstract: Hydrogen diffusion and trapping in AISI 316L stainless steel and pure nickel are studied with thermal desorption spectroscopy method. Specific features of hydrogen uptake and desorption for a multi-component alloy in comparison with that for pure metal and the effects of hydrogen concentration profile after electrochemical charging on the hydrogen desorption are discussed. It is shown that hydrogen diffusion and trapping in multi-component alloy are caused by the specific atomic distribution of hydrogen in the crystal lattice of alloy.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of Al castings are reduced by inclusions, particularly double oxide films, or bifilms, which are formed due to surface turbulence of the liquid metal during handling and/or pouring. These defects have been reported not only to decrease the tensile and fatigue properties of Al alloy castings, but also to increase their scatter. Recent research has suggested that the nature of oxide film defects may change with time, as the air inside the bifilm would react with the surrounding melt leading to its consumption, which may enhance the mechanical properties of Al alloy castings. In order to follow changes in the composition of the internal atmosphere of a double oxide film defect within an Al melt, a series of analogue experiments were carried out to determine the changes in gas composition of an air bubble trapped in a melt of commercial purity Al, subjected to stirring. The bubble contents were analysed using a mass spectrometer to determine their change in composition with time. Also, the solid species inside the bubbles solidified in the melt were analysed. The results suggested that first oxygen and then nitrogen inside the bubble were consumed, with consumption rates of 2.5x10^-6 and 1.3x10^-6 mol m^-2s^-1, respectively. Also, hydrogen diffused into the bubble from the melt at an average rate of 3.4x10^-7 mol m^-2s^-1, although the rate of H diffusion increased significantly after the consumption of most of the oxygen inside the bubble. Based upon these reaction rates the time required for a typical alumina bifilm to lose all its oxygen and nitrogen was determined to be just under 10 minutes.

Abstract: Hydrogen mobility has been studied at high temperature by absorption experiments in the Ni₅₂Ti₄₈ alloy, which does not transform martensitically but rather behaves like a so-called strain glass. The results obtained have been compared with those deduced from an anelastic relaxation occurring in this alloy below the strain-glass transition temperatures. An accurate analysis of the anelastic data has confirmed the conclusion that the relaxation is related to H rather than to the glass transition. Its relaxation time obeyed a Voogel-Fulcher type of temperature dependence. Combining absorption and anelastic results, the H diffusion coefficient in the B2 lattice structure of this alloy could be studied from 1200 K down to 170 K. The agreement between the absorption and mechanical spectroscopy data was satisfactory. The activation energy (0.33 eV) deduced from a Vogel-Fulcher representation of the H diffusion coefficient D was sensibly lower than earlier determinations (0.44-0.50 eV) from Arrhenius plots. The high temperature data of Ni₅₂Ti₄₈ alloy, compared with the ones available in the literature for other NiTi SMA in their B2 structure, show a substantial independence of D on the alloy composition.

Abstract: The role of microstructure in susceptibility to hydrogen uptake and property degradation is being evaluated using a number of high strength pipeline steels. To do so, a cellular automaton (CA) model has been used to examine the effect of grain size, as a first step in assessing the influence of microstructure. The simulation results of hydrogen diffusion into microstructures with different grain sizes are presented.

Abstract: The effect of the nitrided layers produced on ferritic-austenitic stainless steel to hydrogen absorption and desorption was studied. The layers were formed during low-temperature glow discharge nitriding process. The microstructure of steel after nitriding and cathodic hydrogen charging was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). One of the objectives was to determine the quantity of hydrogen absorbed by the steel samples with and without the nitrided layer. To determine the quantity of the diffusible and trapped hydrogen, the electrochemical permeation and desorption methods were used. The influence of the nitrided layer on the entry, absorption and desorption of hydrogen was determined. The results revealed that the nitrided layer hinders absorption of hydrogen into and desorption of hydrogen from the membrane.

Abstract: The present work is based on previous research on the one-dimensional (1D) analysis of the hydrogen diffusion process, and proposes a numerical approach of the same phenomenon in two-dimensional (2D) situations, e.g. notches. The weighted residual method was used to solve numerically the differential equations set out when the geometry was discretized through the application of the finite element method. Three-node triangular elements were used in the discretization, due to its simplicity, and a numerical algorithm was numerically implemented to obtain the hydrogen concentration distribution in the material at different time increments. The model is a powerful tool to analyze hydrogen embrittlement phenomena in structural materials.