N'GENIUS for Hydrogen Applications

Game-changing potential.

Hydrogen is a key fuel for a sustainable future... and austenitic stainless steels are often the preferred material choice for hydrogen applications.

While conventional austenitic stainless steels such as 316L are potentially being considered for hydrogen applications there is concern that many of the products manufactured from conventional 316L do not possess a stable single-phase austenitic microstructure which is essential for gaseous and liquid hydrogen applications.

Conventional 316L austenitic stainless steels contain a percentage of the ferrite phase content and demonstrate a susceptibility to strain-induced phase transformation to martensite which restricts the suitability of conventional austenitic stainless steels for certain Hydrogen applications, particularly in high pressure service.

We believe this is a significant issue that industry is failing to recognise or acknowledge.

Fortunately, this problem is starting to be acknowledged by certain standards committees, as seen in the ASME B31.12 Hydrogen Piping & Pipelines standard:

Conventional Grades containing Niobium, Vanadium or Titanium

Conventional grades of austenitic stainless steels that intentionally contain elements including Niobium, Vanadium or Titanium should not be considered as optimum for use with hydrogen applications as these elements promote precipitation within the microstructure, adversely affecting ductility and toughness.

Furthermore, this would change the composition of the matrix locally in the vicinity of these precipitates, leading to impoverishment of certain critical elements which adversely affects the performance of these grades.

It is also clear that such conventional stainless steels would not possess a single-phase austenitic microstructure, conflicting with the preferred requirements set-out in ASME B31.12.

Challenges of Gaseous Hydrogen and Liquid Hydrogen Applications

Conventional austenitic stainless steels, which were never designed for hydrogen applications, do not possess a stable single-phase austenitic microstructure which is required for both higher-pressure gaseous and lower-pressure liquid hydrogen applications.

And considering the risks of mixing unsuitable grades of conventional austenitic stainless steels, it is understandable that End clients and Engineering Design Consultants require a total material solution to the various issues adversely affecting the selection and application of conventional austenitic stainless steels for both higher-pressure gaseous and lower-pressure liquid hydrogen applications.

This total material solution can be obtained by selecting the correct alloy from the N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM.

Read more about the N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM

N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM Alloys possess a more stable single-phase austenitic microstructure which is essential for the hydrogen storage and transportation industries. From large scale offshore green hydrogen production to small hydrogen fuel vehicles – the alloys included in the N'GENIUS H2 Series™ offer significant direct advantages when compared to conventional 316L austenitic stainless steel grades.

As a result, the N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM is the perfect solution, providing the following performance benefits to engineering design teams:

N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM alloys to be considered for hydrogen applications

The following N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM alloys are extremely well suited for both gaseous and liquid hydrogen applications:

• N'GENIUS 316LM4N H2™ (PRE_N ≥ 37.5)

N'GENIUS H2 Series 316LMN4N Alloy Types and Variants can be selected for pipelines, piping systems, tanks, vessels and engineering equipment such as pumps, valves, electrolysers, filters, compressors and coolers.