Effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of stainless steels

Abstract

Fuel cell vehicles running on hydrogen are seen as the long term solution to enable sustainable mobility. Compressed hydrogen gas storage systems are a promising route for storing hydrogen on board of vehicles, provided that a reliable and cheap material capable of withstanding hydrogen embrittlement is found. In this paper, the physicochemical behaviour of stainless steel in the presence of hydrogen with special focus on a ductility minimum near room temperature is reviewed.