Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior and Applicability of X52 Steel in Pure Hydrogen Pipelines

Li, Tianlei; Zhang, Honglin; Hu, Wentao; Li, Ke; Wang, Yaxi; Lin, Yuanhua

doi:10.3390/ma18143417

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Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior and Applicability of X52 Steel in Pure Hydrogen Pipelines

by

Tianlei Li

^1,2,3,

Honglin Zhang

^1,*,

Wentao Hu

¹,

Ke Li

³,

Yaxi Wang

³ and

Yuanhua Lin

^1,*

¹

State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China

²

School of New Energy and Materials, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China

³

Southwest Branch Co., China Petroleum Engineering Construction Corp., Beijing 100120, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Materials 2025, 18(14), 3417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143417

Submission received: 20 May 2025 / Revised: 1 July 2025 / Accepted: 9 July 2025 / Published: 21 July 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Mechanics of Materials)

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Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical behavior of X52 steel pipes and their weld regions under pure hydrogen transport conditions, with a focus on assessing potential hydrogen embrittlement risks. Through experimental analysis, the research evaluates how different pipeline regions—including the base metal, weld metal, and heat-affected zones—respond to varying hydrogen pressures. Key mechanical properties such as elongation, fracture toughness, and crack growth resistance are analyzed to determine their implications for structural integrity and safety. Based on the findings, this study proposes criteria for the safety evaluation of X52 pipelines operating in hydrogen service environments. The results are intended to inform decisions regarding the repurposing of existing pipelines or the design of new infrastructure dedicated to pure hydrogen transport, offering insights into material performance and critical safety considerations for hydrogen pipeline applications.

Keywords: X52 steel; hydrogen embrittlement; fatigue crack growth; tensile properties; fracture toughness

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MDPI and ACS Style

Li, T.; Zhang, H.; Hu, W.; Li, K.; Wang, Y.; Lin, Y. Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior and Applicability of X52 Steel in Pure Hydrogen Pipelines. Materials 2025, 18, 3417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143417

AMA Style

Li T, Zhang H, Hu W, Li K, Wang Y, Lin Y. Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior and Applicability of X52 Steel in Pure Hydrogen Pipelines. Materials. 2025; 18(14):3417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143417

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Tianlei, Honglin Zhang, Wentao Hu, Ke Li, Yaxi Wang, and Yuanhua Lin. 2025. "Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior and Applicability of X52 Steel in Pure Hydrogen Pipelines" Materials 18, no. 14: 3417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143417

APA Style

Li, T., Zhang, H., Hu, W., Li, K., Wang, Y., & Lin, Y. (2025). Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior and Applicability of X52 Steel in Pure Hydrogen Pipelines. Materials, 18(14), 3417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143417

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Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior and Applicability of X52 Steel in Pure Hydrogen Pipelines

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